Ice Ice Baby Summary, Characters and Themes

Ice Ice Baby by Carly Robyn is a contemporary romance novel that combines the intensity of professional sports with the vulnerability of personal relationships. The story follows Cole, a professional hockey player dealing with the weight of his late twin brother’s memory, and Maya, a bookstore manager who is more interested in books than the world of sports.

As they navigate their growing connection, they face personal challenges, career choices, and the complexities of their feelings for each other. The novel delves into the themes of love, loss, and personal growth as both characters find themselves at a crossroads in their lives and relationships.

Summary

Cole, a professional hockey player, is navigating the complexities of life as a celebrity athlete. Following a championship game, he attends a celebration where his teammates engage in playful banter, especially with Logan, who is obsessed with his appearance in a team photo.

As the night unfolds, Cole reflects on the deep loss of his twin brother, Nate, a former hockey star whose death still impacts him. Cole’s dream was always to play alongside Nate for the San Diego Devils, but after Nate’s passing, that dream feels distant and out of reach.

Amid the event, Cole steps away for a moment of solitude and meets Maya, a woman who stands out because she is reading in a place where everyone else is socializing. Unlike most people Cole encounters, Maya is unbothered by his fame and shifts the conversation away from hockey to books.

Her perspective, along with her sarcasm, quickly intrigues him.

As their conversation deepens, Cole realizes Maya has no interest in hockey, which makes her even more appealing to him. She is there because of her friend, not because she admires the sport or its players.

Maya, in turn, is intrigued by Cole’s avoidance of flaunting his status and their conversation gradually turns into a playful yet meaningful exchange. When they part ways, Cole is left contemplating their connection, but he is unsure what it means, especially since Maya does not seem interested in him in the same way his usual admirers are.

The next day, Cole makes an unexpected visit to Maya at the Book Nook, a local bookstore where she works. This marks the beginning of their developing connection.

Maya is initially surprised but responds to his visit with cautious curiosity. Their conversation about books flows naturally, and Cole buys a book as an excuse to keep the conversation going.

He invites her to a hockey game, and though skeptical, Maya agrees. She attends the game, and to her surprise, she finds herself enjoying it, despite her initial indifference toward the sport.

Later that evening, they meet at a bar where their conversation grows more personal. Cole begins to realize that he’s developing genuine feelings for Maya, something he hasn’t experienced in a long time.

Maya, on the other hand, is unsure of what Cole’s intentions are. His behavior seems to alternate between friendly and flirtatious, leaving her uncertain of his sincerity.

Despite her reservations, the chemistry between them is undeniable, and both are drawn to each other. However, Maya remains hesitant to fully open her heart, as she is wary of getting hurt again, due to a past relationship that ended painfully.

As their relationship develops, both of them struggle with their personal insecurities. Maya, dealing with past heartbreak, is slow to trust in the possibility of love, while Cole is unsure about committing to a relationship.

Their evolving connection is marked by playful banter, but also moments of deeper reflection. Cole confides in his friends about his growing feelings for Maya, although he is unsure if he is ready for a serious commitment.

Maya, meanwhile, is caught between her growing feelings for Cole and the fear of complicating her already complicated life.

During the holidays, Cole returns home, where he is reminded of his late brother’s absence and the bittersweet family gatherings. He enjoys time with his nieces but is still haunted by the grief of losing Nate.

Later, he reflects on his estrangement with Maya and contemplates how to make amends with her. Maya, still processing her feelings, finds herself in another conversation with Cole, where they continue their playful interactions.

Though Maya is still cautious, she begins to soften, especially after Cole apologizes for his lack of communication.

Meanwhile, Cole’s career is at a crossroads as trade rumors circulate. He is uncertain about his future with his current team, the Bobcats, and whether he should accept a trade offer from the New Jersey Devils.

Despite the excitement around the opportunity, Cole is conflicted about leaving Boston and the potential impact it would have on his relationship with Maya. Their growing connection complicates matters, and Cole begins to realize that he may have stronger feelings for Maya than he anticipated.

Their relationship continues to evolve as Maya grapples with her own emotional baggage. She struggles to reconcile her feelings for Cole with her fear of vulnerability.

Despite her reservations, she agrees to spend more time with him, and their bond deepens. Cole becomes more open about his feelings, and Maya slowly allows herself to trust him.

However, the complications of their respective lives continue to create obstacles, and both of them must confront their pasts and figure out what they want for their future.

The turning point in their relationship comes when Cole is faced with the decision of whether to leave Boston for the San Diego Devils. After much contemplation, Cole decides to stay with his current team, a decision influenced by his personal growth and his realization that Maya is more important to him than his dream of playing for the Devils.

When Maya finds out about the trade offer, she is initially hurt by Cole’s reluctance to be open with her. However, Cole’s decision to turn down the trade, despite its significance to him and his late brother, is a moment of growth for him, and it helps solidify the deepening bond between him and Maya.

Maya, moved by Cole’s gesture, confesses her love for him, and the two of them share a passionate moment. They begin planning their future together, understanding that their relationship will be full of challenges but is worth the effort.

In the final moments of the story, Cole visits Maya at her apartment, where she has completed the first draft of her novel and dedicated it to Nate. This gesture symbolizes the healing process both Cole and Maya are undergoing together.

The story ends on a hopeful note, with Cole and Maya looking forward to their future, stronger as individuals and as a couple.

Characters

Nicholas “Cole” Barrett

Cole, the protagonist of Ice Ice Baby, is a professional hockey player facing a range of personal and professional challenges. As a captain of his team, Cole is known for his leadership skills and his deep emotional connection to the sport, particularly after the death of his twin brother, Nate, a former hockey player.

This loss weighs heavily on him throughout the story, as Cole continues to grapple with guilt and grief over Nate’s untimely passing. His relationship with hockey and his identity as a player is central to his character arc, especially when he faces the potential of a trade that could change his future in the sport.

On a personal level, Cole is introspective and occasionally unsure about his emotions, particularly in his developing relationship with Maya. Initially, he hides his identity as a hockey player, allowing him to connect with her on a deeper, more genuine level, free from the public’s typical fascination with him.

Over time, Cole’s character is defined by his growth and self-awareness as he becomes more serious about Maya and begins to confront his past, his career, and his emotions.

Maya Silver

Maya is an intelligent and independent woman who works as a manager at a local bookstore called the Book Nook. Her character stands out in Ice Ice Baby for her ability to detach from the world of hockey, unlike most people Cole encounters.

Maya has a unique, sarcastic sense of humor, and she is initially uninterested in the fame that surrounds Cole, which draws him in even more. She’s a lover of books, and her witty, thoughtful demeanor contrasts sharply with the superficial interactions Cole is used to.

Maya’s guarded nature comes from a history of heartbreak, particularly after a past relationship left her skeptical about love and commitment. Despite her reluctance to get involved, her interactions with Cole gradually shift, and she finds herself drawn to him, despite her hesitation.

Maya’s journey in the story revolves around reconciling her growing feelings for Cole with her fear of vulnerability and emotional attachment. As the story unfolds, she allows herself to open up more, revealing a side of her that is creative and deeply connected to her aspirations, particularly through her writing.

Logan

Logan, one of Cole’s teammates, adds a lighter, more comedic tone to the story. He is described as somewhat vain, particularly about his appearance in team photos, and often provides moments of playful banter and friendly teasing.

Although Logan plays a more secondary role in the story, he serves as an important part of Cole’s social life, offering both comic relief and a reminder of the camaraderie that exists within a team. His interactions with Cole help to highlight the contrasting personalities between Cole’s internal struggles and the more carefree aspects of his life with his teammates.

Elliott

Elliott, Maya’s brother, is a pivotal character in Ice Ice Baby, offering both wisdom and emotional support to Maya throughout the story. He is intuitive, able to pick up on Maya’s feelings and offer advice without being overbearing.

His relationship with Maya is one of mutual respect and care, and he often acts as a sounding board for her as she navigates the complexities of her relationship with Cole. Elliott also plays a key role in helping Cole process his emotions regarding his potential trade, offering guidance and support when Cole feels conflicted about his future.

His calm and understanding nature contrasts with the more emotional reactions of other characters, and he remains a steady presence in Maya’s life.

Sophie

Sophie is Maya’s friend and confidante, who plays an important role in supporting Maya as she navigates her emotions about Cole. She encourages Maya to pursue her interests, like writing, and helps her work through her feelings of doubt regarding her developing relationship with Cole.

Sophie is understanding of Maya’s hesitation to commit and often offers a more lighthearted perspective on the situation. She serves as a grounding influence on Maya, helping her to explore her creativity and emotional needs in the face of her growing feelings for Cole.

Roni

Roni appears briefly in Ice Ice Baby, creating a moment of tension when she interacts with Cole at a New Year’s celebration. Though her role is small, Roni represents a potential distraction for Cole, highlighting his growing emotional distance from his teammates and his increasing focus on Maya.

This moment also serves to reinforce the idea that Cole’s attention is increasingly drawn toward Maya, emphasizing the depth of his feelings for her and the shift in his priorities.

Nathan

Though Nathan, Cole’s late twin brother, does not appear in the present timeline of the story, his influence looms large throughout Ice Ice Baby. Nathan’s tragic death serves as a driving force behind Cole’s emotional struggles, particularly when it comes to the potential trade to the San Diego Devils.

The trade was a dream that Cole and Nathan had shared to one day play for the same team, and Nathan’s absence makes this decision even more difficult for Cole. Nathan represents Cole’s past and the unresolved grief that Cole carries with him, impacting his decisions and relationships.

Nathan’s memory acts as both a source of strength and a reminder of the unresolved pain that Cole continues to deal with.

Keith

Keith is a photographer and a friend to both Maya and Cole. His role in Ice Ice Baby is to add some dimension to the social circle surrounding Maya, especially during moments when the story explores themes of relationships and careers.

Keith is described as a world traveler and shares experiences from his journeys, adding a different perspective to the dynamics in Maya’s life. He seems to have a more relaxed and worldly approach to life, which contrasts with the more grounded and cautious perspectives of other characters.

Ava

Ava is another friend of Maya’s who occasionally appears in the narrative, though her role is more peripheral. She is part of the social group that surrounds Maya, adding further depth to Maya’s connections outside of her interactions with Cole.

Ava’s presence underscores the importance of Maya’s close-knit circle of friends, who provide support and advice as she navigates her emotional journey. Ava, though not as developed as other characters, helps to flesh out the social landscape of the book and represents a part of Maya’s life that is stable and familiar, in contrast to the unpredictability of her evolving relationship with Cole.

Themes

Grief and Loss

In Ice Ice Baby, grief and loss play a central role in shaping Cole’s journey and emotional landscape. The memory of his twin brother Nate, a former star hockey player, is a constant presence in Cole’s life.

The unresolved grief from Nate’s untimely death still haunts Cole, especially during family gatherings or moments of reflection. This grief manifests not only in Cole’s private thoughts but also in his relationships, influencing his connection with those around him, including Maya.

His internal struggle to come to terms with his brother’s absence affects his decisions and his sense of self-worth, as he often finds himself questioning his future in hockey without Nate by his side. The loss is further emphasized during moments when Cole reflects on the shared dream he had with Nate of playing together for the San Diego Devils.

This aspiration, now unattainable, serves as a poignant reminder of what was lost. Cole’s experience is a testament to the way unresolved grief can affect one’s perception of the future and cloud their present reality, making it difficult to let go of the past while moving forward.

Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

Throughout Ice Ice Baby, both Cole and Maya undergo significant journeys of self-discovery, shaped largely by their interactions with one another. Cole, as a professional hockey player, has been living with expectations imposed by his career, his teammates, and the memory of his late brother.

His identity is entwined with his role on the ice, and this has kept him from fully understanding who he is outside of the game. Maya enters his life and challenges this identity, offering a refreshing perspective on life that doesn’t revolve around hockey.

Their relationship forces Cole to confront his deeper desires, his hesitations about commitment, and his vulnerabilities. As he navigates his feelings for Maya, he starts questioning what truly matters to him in life, beyond the confines of his professional hockey career.

For Maya, the relationship with Cole is equally transformative. Her past heartbreak makes her wary of romantic entanglements, and she initially resists the pull of attraction toward him.

However, as their relationship deepens, she begins to confront her own fears of commitment and her tendency to keep people at a distance. Through their connection, Maya learns to be more open to vulnerability, and Cole, in turn, learns to embrace love and personal growth beyond his career in hockey.

Love and Relationships

The theme of love is intricately woven throughout Ice Ice Baby, particularly as Cole and Maya navigate the complexities of their budding relationship. At the heart of their connection is the tension between attraction and uncertainty.

From their initial meeting at a hockey celebration to their deepening bond, their relationship evolves slowly, with both parties unsure of what they want but unable to ignore the undeniable chemistry. Maya’s reluctance to fully engage in a relationship stems from her past experiences, where love was marred by betrayal and heartbreak.

She is hesitant to trust her feelings, unsure whether her growing affection for Cole is genuine or merely the product of her emotions being stirred by a new and exciting connection. Cole, on the other hand, finds himself facing the difficulty of opening up to someone in a way he hasn’t before.

Despite his public persona as a professional athlete, his emotional walls are slowly broken down by Maya’s understanding and her challenge to his protective instincts. The emotional highs and lows of their relationship—ranging from playful flirtation to moments of deep emotional vulnerability—highlight the challenges that come with love, especially when both individuals have their own baggage and insecurities.

Their relationship is a testament to the idea that love is not always straightforward or easy, but it is worth the effort and vulnerability required to build a strong, lasting bond.

Career and Identity

Cole’s professional identity as a hockey player is a central theme in Ice Ice Baby, particularly as he faces the possibility of being traded to a new team. Throughout the story, Cole is torn between his love for the game and the relationships that have come to define his life in Boston.

His role as a team captain for the Bobcats has become part of who he is, and the potential trade to the San Diego Devils, while a career opportunity he’s worked towards, threatens to upend everything he knows. This internal conflict about career and personal life is further complicated by his feelings for Maya, who represents a future he hasn’t fully considered.

Cole’s fear of leaving behind his team, his role in Boston, and his family ties speaks to a larger question of how one’s career can shape, and sometimes limit, their identity. As he struggles with the decision, he realizes that his career, while important, cannot define him entirely.

The trade dilemma forces him to reconcile his professional dreams with his personal desires, ultimately leading him to understand that true fulfillment may lie not in career accomplishments alone but in emotional connections and personal growth.

Healing and Moving Forward

The theme of healing runs deeply through Ice Ice Baby, particularly in relation to Cole’s grief over his brother Nate. Nate’s death has left a significant emotional scar on Cole, one that he struggles to move beyond.

Throughout the story, Cole begins to realize that healing is not a linear process and that it involves accepting loss and finding new paths forward. His connection with Maya plays a key role in this healing process, as she offers him a sense of comfort and emotional support that he has been lacking since his brother’s death.

Maya’s presence in Cole’s life gives him a new perspective on love, loss, and moving forward, as he learns to let go of the weight of the past while still honoring his brother’s memory. The journey of healing is also mirrored in Maya’s own experiences, as she learns to navigate her own fears of vulnerability and commitment.

Her willingness to open up to Cole allows both of them to heal, not only from past wounds but also in the way they learn to support each other through their respective struggles. The ending of the novel, where Cole reflects on his journey and his relationship with Maya, suggests that healing is an ongoing process, one that involves embracing the future while reconciling with the past.