Beak Performance: A Fangs on Ice Novella

Fangs on Ice #3

by Rhea Fox

BEAK PERFORMANCE is a cozy MM hockey monster romance with captain x player age gap vibes.

ARNE

My job as the captain of the Veitsreuth Pumas is to be there for my team. It's only natural that I want to take my new team mate, Max Gruber, under my wing. The Raven is young but he has bite. I shouldn't notice just how pretty he is with his body covered in black feathers and the glossy curls I long to touch, or how much I want to protect him from harm.

When the mounting tension between us boils over and he kisses me, I find myself in a tough situation. I don't want to jeopardise his or my career, but staying away from him isn't an option for me, either. Raven is mine and I am his.

It's only for one season that we have to keep our relationship under wraps; we can do this. Once he has his contract extended nothing can stop us. But we didn't take into account how difficult it was to keep our mutual affection under wraps.

MAX

Falling for my hot captain wasn't the plan when I joined the Veitsreuth Pumas. When I snap and kiss him on the last night of our training camp, I think I've blown my chances. Yet I am not the only one who finds it impossible to keep their hands--or shadow tentacles--off the other. Dating and mating Arne Bendixen makes me happier than anything ever before. I should have known it was too good to be true.

When shit hits the fan and we find ourselves with our backs to the wall, our mate bond is put to the test. Can we withstand what the world throws at us or will we break?

Vibes & Tropes

Captain x player

Age gap

Autistic dream walking Night Raven MC

Calm and collected human MC

Bi-awakening

Secret relationship

Shadow tentacles

The book is a cozy lower stakes MM hockey monster romance with a guaranteed Happily Ever After. It is book 3 in Fangs on Ice and can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, Sports, Queer, Fantasy

259 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2025

Reviews

[Audi♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big, beefy men being called princess just does it for me. 🥵
I love this porny series.

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Max and Arne were cute together and had good chemistry. I didn’t like the “Princess” nickname tho. It took me out of the moment every time. Arne was so buttoned up and it was good to see him chill out with Max and I liked that he was supportive of Max’s accommodations. I wish we would have gotten to see more of Max’s family dynamic with Arne in the picture.

Spice: 5/5

Triggers: cheating and emotional abuse (past relationship), dream sex (neither is really aware it’s a shared dream)

[Meagan Grauel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

A very fantastic monster hockey romance book. The author starts us off strong too with a steamy encounter between the two that has one of them flustered and the other questioning his sexuality. It has so many great aspects! A bi-awakening, MM couple, a unique package, possessive MMC, autism representation, mates, and “Princess” as a nickname for a very muscular guy. And like 3/4 of the book after the characters get together they’re constantly having dirty, filthy sex. I’m really not even sure how the bottom was walking at one point. But I enjoyed all of this book and how obsessed the MMC’s are with one another. Definitely worth the read for the smut alone. But the storyline isn’t bad either.

[A🦄🌻🌙 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️


Out of my norm of what I typically read. Story overall was enjoyable and sexy but overall felt rather “surface” and didn’t dig deeper if that makes any sense? Also they were sooooo quick to start their little pet names - and then when they did start they jumped right to rather more “advanced” options like “Princess” without any prior discussion and it was kinda a lot lol. Overall fun, cute, and sexy. Wish the shit with the ex and Max’s family had pinnacle and conclusion but alas we didn’t get it.

[what_emmareadnext · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third Rhea Fox book I’ve read and I knew going into it that I would love it! And I wasn’t wrong at all!
Max and Arne are a hockey players on the same team- Max is a rookie and Arne is the team captain. They have a stolen kiss one night and the tension between them just grows. It’s kind of forbidden as Arne is the captain and has taken Max under this wing, but we love a bit of forbidden don’t we?
These two are hot as hell together and I loved their dynamic!

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

KU Read
240ish Pages
Fantasy
Cosy Monster Romance
MM
Human X Dream Walker (Raven)
Hockey Captain x Player
Bi-Awakening
Autistic Rep

The dynamic between the two MMCs doesn't follow the normal and I loved the originality of it. Max, being younger and darker, taught older Arne how to navigate his newfound sexuality while Arne, in turn, took the time to get to know and make things easier for Max and his autism.
All in all I loved this story and would have read more too cos I liked them both so much.
These books are not complex but still have a lovely cosy vibe with Romance and all the feels with a bit of spice thrown in too.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a bi awakening story.
I also love it when the hockey players kiss each other.
So this book is a win-win.

[JabberwockyStories · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing a free ARC. This is my honest review!
Review 4.5/5; Rounded up to 5 for GR.

Beak Performance takes us back to the Veitsreuth Pumas where we get to learn more about the team's Raven and Viking. Max (called Raven by his team)is a Nachtkrapp and winger for the Pumas. He has been working to adjust to his team in hopes he is offered a contract. Insert Arne (dubbed The Viking) is the captain of the Pumas and wants to make sure his Raven is settling in to the team.

This book does not miss a beat providing you spice right off the gate! I love the dynamic between Max and Arne and how they fall for each other! Arne taking the time to learn of Max's character and work to be his comfort is just....SWWOOOOOONNNNNN.

❤️ MAX ❤️ Rhea is so exquisitely able to show the autistic tendencies without making the character sound like they are lacking in competency or incomplete in mentality like I have found other books describing someone with autistic traits.

If you're looking for a secret relationship of a captain and player you have found the right book! Not only is there a bi-awakening but dream walking, shadow play, and a shapeshifting Raven!

Also...any book with Supermassive Black Hole in the playlist....you know it's gonna be a banger! #thewingertakesitall

[Spinster Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the sweetest finding love story. I absolutely adore Max & Arne and their story is magical! And the neurodivergence representation is amazing!

Hockey captain who has always thought he was straight finds himself attracted to the new, younger player (who is pan) on his team. Captain and player share a steamy kiss. Captain realizes maybe he isn't straight after all. Avoidance, pursuit and adorableness follow. *happy dance*

Arne is the older, calm and composed human captain. Max is the younger, autistic, dreamwalking, bird monster and new player on the team.

Arne reads articles on autism and learns Max's safe foods. Max helps Arne navigate realizing he is actually bi, making it safe for Arne to learn & try new things. They don't view their differences as problems to be solved, but as another piece of the other to learn & love. They complement and strengthen each other. They are delightful perfection.

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this book and I cannot recommend it enough! It is sweet, steamy, cozy, and all sorts of good things.

[Bookfairymel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great addition to the series! I loved seeing all the past characters popping up and making appearances, it always makes me happy when things tie together in that way. Max was a such a cutie, I love when an MC is equal parts adorable and deadly. His monster side coming through was always a treat. I would have loved to see him interact with his family more and work things out with them. It seemed like there was some tension but it was pushed aside for the most part.

I loved seeing Arne flip between a strong captain and a bratty bottom in the spicy scenes. They were so ravenous for each other throughout the whole book, it was continuous spice. I would have liked to see Arne talk to his parents about being bisexual more, since it seems he always thought he was straight. On the other hand, it was nice that her parents accepted Max right away. Overall, they were a cute couple with many spicy scenes with shadows and monster forms; I definitely enjoyed it!

[Sophie Hutchins · Rating 4 out of 5]

“His needy little whines will be my downfall.”

These two were magnetised from the beginning. They literally couldn’t be apart from one another.

My heart broke for them with the forbidden and hidden away aspect knowing neither of them wanted it.

Max was a good written description of autism and their struggles and I loved how Arne learnt and helped adjust things for Max. All of which were done if his own accord.

It was filled with a hell of a lot of smut. Literally these two could not keep their hands off one another. The second they was within one another’s company they were hands on.

I loved seeing past characters from their books and hints towards the characters for the next book.

I just wished it was a little longer for the plot to have been fleshed out a little more in the beginning alongside the smut.

But the smut was 🌶️ max had a filthy mouth and I loved how Arne, the brave strong captain, buckled to him every time.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

“Yeah, the way you drool over Max’s ass might have made you guess that you’re bisexual.”

[monika_is_booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if the man you have a crush on is a) straight and b) the Captain of your hockey team? Exactly!! You just go for it and kiss him!!
These two 🥹 I love them so much!! They're just so precious, kind and caring and it flows through the pages and....other stuff flows too 🤭
The next book in the Fangs on Ice-Series is fluffy, cute, full of tender moments and 🌶️. Lots and lots of spicy goodness.
If you like low angst books which will make you feel all cozy (and maybe hot and bothered) then you should put "Beak Performance on your TBR like yesterday!!!

[Darktwistybookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely fell in love with Arne & Max!!
Their story was so freaking adorable, sweet and hot asf! I never would have pictured Max being the top and having such a filthy mouth - it was a complete role reversal from what I was expecting, but it works so well!!! Arne is a top-tier caretaker, and the two of them together melted my heart!
The book has a little of everything - longing, a little angst, sweetness, and a lot of spice! I was squealing and laughing throughout the entire story - I loved it so much!

[Adeselna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a wholesome, cozy, and quite spicy book! 

I loved that Arne & Max’s relationship was totally drama-free, and they mostly vibes all the way! Arne finds himself attracted to Max, but as captain of the hockey team and since Max is younger than him, he tries to hold his feelings. So when they share a hot fiery kiss, Arne realises that he’s probably not that straight and Max senses he’s in trouble because now that he knows that Arne likes him back, there’s no stopping their relationship. 

Arne is so wholesome. He tends to Max's special diet and reads about autism to be a better person for him and that is so adorable and cute! The way they developed feelings and how Max guides Arne into his new experiences in life are adorable. 

Now, although I said this was cozy and wholesome, this is also extremely spicy and super hot! In fact, I struggled to present just two quotes because I think I would have highlighted most of the book if I could. Max calls Arnie his “princess” and “sl*t” and when Arne calls Max “baby” and he just melts, it’s so endearing. I spent half of the book going awwww and the other fanning myself over those spicy scenes.

I love these types of books when I’m almost exhausted from all the ARCs and I just need something: low stakes, just vibes, wholesome and beautiful!

“Beak Performance” is a fun, quick and steamy read where we witness Arne’s bi-awakening and Max’s journey to accept that he is worthy of all the good things Arne brings to his life.

[Amber Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhea really knows how to bring the spice. This is the third Fangs on Ice novella featuring players on a German hockey team. This time it’s the human captain and the Nachtkrapp player. Yes, he is a shadowy bird man. Yes, the shadows come into play. Arne and Max got hot and heavy fast. With a splash of forbidden and some first time fun, this one was a wild ride - and don’t get me started on the nicknames! Read it to find out more...

[Hester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a whole ass experience omfg 😭😭😭
An autistic, half raven half human,gay hockey player falls in love with his hockey team captain
I honestly have no words, no words😭
In a weird twisted way I kind of liked it,
“Princess”,”Baby”,”My Viking”, “My Raven”
Boom shakalaka, yes LAWDDDD
May this type of love locate me🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️
The sex scenes were so raw and visceral, the author did not spare any details whatsoever
Thai book is nothing like what I’ve read, I LOVE IT

[A. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book by Rhea Fox. For the very first time Max and Arne were introduced I liked them. As side characters you could tell there was something between them. Getting to see their story was amazing. This book gets 5 stars for everything. Also the spice…. It was spicing. Can’t wait for more!

[K. ReinaBeReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet monster sports romance.

Rhea manages to make Beak Performance one of the sweetest, snuggliest, mushy love stories while also making it pure mm filth.

I love the role reversal of team captain becomes “Princess” and the young newly muscled player becomes the commanding dark shadow daddy top.

I read the story thinking there was going to be some third act problem, but the whole thing is one cozy smattering of neck kisses between our boys. I loved this. Rhea manages to make me wish I was one of her men every single time!

[Anna Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insta-love. Bi-awakening.
This cute novella gave a sweet and spicy story of a raven and a human (monster romance is becoming a genre I like more and more). There was a slight age gap and power dynamic (work related) but love conquers all. There’s an HEA and an HEA for characters from previous books in series! Swoon.

[Eddie Crwn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by Rhea Fox and I enjoyed the story line. I think this book had a lot of potential but I was very lost in what was occurring despite it being a “standalone.” The writing is not the best and transitions are very abrupt. Apart from that the characters are very lovable, and the book is very spicy. It was a quick and enjoyable read! :)

[Moomicorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book in the series and I have to say I loved the dynamic between this couple. They were just the right amount of sweet and the story had just the right amount of spice. Reading the next right away!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶

Has past cheating and emotional abuse suffered by a MC. Sexual exploration in dream state (MC can dreamwalk)

[Robyn G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arne and Max!
I'm loving these cozy MM monster hockey books, so sweet but also so hot!
I loved these two together because they know very quickly that they are for each other!
I especially loved seeing the previous guys and how their doing, once i started I didn't want to stop!

[Liz Herston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing as always

Rhea Fox has an amazing way of writing relatable characters. High spice low angst cozy vibes you can always rely on. If Rhea Fox writes it, I will read it. Every time.

[Shelby • the_kindle_girlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

These novella MM monster hockey romances were so cute and cozy. All of the characters were so lovable and … hot. I read these in one weekend spent in the mountains. I was entertained and swooning the entire time.

[Valerie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The relationship between Max and Arne is 😘. They might be my favorite of Rhea's couples. A perfect sweet read.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️
The spice, the tension, the hockey players who can throw each other around! Say less. Another great story in the Fangs on Ice series about two players who cannot keep their hands off each other while trying to remain professional and respect their situation on the team. Tall, dark and feathered is my new obsessions because I could not get enough of Max. Arne meanwhile had my whole heart because he just wanted to make sure Max and his team were taken care of no matter the cost to himself. A secret relationship and some shadowy fun made this a quick and easy read that left me smiling and my heart happy for these two lovable characters!

[Jay myrandomspace2023 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one threw me, I mean I enjoyed it but not as much as I enjoyed the rest of this authors works.

[Kaylyn Gabbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Max isn't an autistic savant, but he simply has autism. It made it more realistic for me. I also love how Arne did everything wholesomely to court Max like researching autism and knowing his safe foods.

[NeedMoreBookSpace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving all of Rhea's books. The characters are so real. The situations are adorable. Theres pining, but not too much pining. This one was sweet, hot, and loved the way they tackled the relationship reveal. And off when the shadows come out to play 🥵🥵

[Jasmine Morley · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶🌶🌶

Aweeee, I loved Max&Arne so much!!! This book was sweet, spicy, and just downright cute! I highly recommend you read this series. It's soooo good!!! 🥵🤭😍🫶🏒🏒