Dear MVP, You're Ice Cold

Seattle Havoc #2

by Vivian Wood

The league’s most disciplined player just broke his own rules.

After a brutal divorce from her powerful ex, Scout Nash swears off athletes for good. She wants peace, purpose, and a fresh start away from the spotlight. Working for the Seattle Havoc seems safe enough until she’s assigned to live with their injured MVP, Silas Huxley.

Silas is disciplined, distant, and impossible to please. His shoulder is a wreck, his patience is thin, and he hates that the team sent someone to manage him. Scout’s job is to keep him focused, make sure he heals, and ignore the way his voice slides under her skin.

She tries to keep her distance. He makes that impossible. One argument turns heated, one touch turns reckless, and suddenly the line between helping him and wanting him disappears.

He’s not the type to ask for comfort. But with her, the control he’s famous for starts to slip. Each touch feels like a mistake he wants to make again. Every night gets harder to pretend it means nothing.

Scout knows better than to fall for a man who’s off limits. But when Silas lets her see the man beneath the ice, she stops caring about the rules.

Once she melts him, there’ll be no going back.

grumpy x sunshine, workplace romance, forced proximity, injured hero, protective man, slow burn, he falls first, she’s off-limits

Genres: Sports Romance, Hockey, Hockey Romance, Romance, He Falls First

472 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2026

About the author

Vivian likes to write about troubled, deeply flawed alpha males and the fiery, kick-ass women who bring them to their knees.

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Reviews

[Mallory Holy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and am struggling with my rating/review. This book has so much potential. I like the concept and general story line. I usually look past typos when reviewing ARC's however this does not seem close to being ready for release. There are so many typos and continuity errors that I was actually getting angry while reading and wanted to DNF multiple times. In reading the last chapter I started to wonder if parts of the next book got mixed in to this one. There was so much back and forth, ie. talking about marriage as if it is the first time at multiple points after a chapter that says she is wearing an engagement ring? There are also lines or similar lines repeated so many times that I was getting annoyed with it "they call me Ice Man because..."/"they call him Ice Man..." or Silas saying he hasn't been touched a certain way in so long, yet Scout has been so the first time alright but the x number of times after? I did love the healing of both characters and how Scout came to find herself and grow in her confidence.All in all, there is potential but I think it needs a lot of editing. Is it possible that this occurs prior to release, sure, but reviewing on the version that I was provided, I cannot justify more than 3 stars.

[Anca A · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Review: *Dear MVP, You're Ice Cold* - Vivian Wood - ARC [18+]
4.2/5✨
3/5🌶️

Scout Nash just wanted a fresh start after the divorce from her ex husband, who wasn't the most supportive man. She just started working at Seattle Havoc hockey team and where things went a bit unexpected for her. Why? Because circumstances made her take care of Silas Huxley, who was a beast on the ice rink, but that negligence lead to a serious injury. They had to live together and that made things pretty hard for them, because the attraction was obvious, but Scout didn't want to fall again for an athlete, especially for her grumpy roommate. Will they be able to keep things professionally?

A slow burn which kept me simmering, because Scout and Silas had such an intense chemistry, but kept on denying it. It was something I liked, because that tension between them was truly intriguing and I was curious when they would just give into it. Those little moments when they felt that sizzling attraction was so sweet and it was nice to see them getting more comfortable in each others presence, sharing all kinds of emotions during this time. Even though this was a steamy romance story, it had its share of sensitive topics, parts which showed the vulnerable side of our main characters and which revealed their long time struggles.

This was a nice hockey love story, one which unraveled some troubled hearts, which slowly found some solace and comfort thanks to that forced proximity they found themselves in. I enjoyed this book, having a great time learning more about these characters and about their deepest inner struggles.

I truly appreciate that Vivian accepted me for this e-ARC, for which I wanna thank her so, so much!

✨Tropes
▫️Grumpy x Sunshine
▫️Workplace Romance
▫️Injured Hero
▫️Protective MMC
▫️Slow Burn
▫️He Falls First
▫️She’s Off-Limits
▫️Forced Proximity
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Hockey

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Stand-alone: Yes****
Author: Vivian Wood
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 3.5/5 🌶
POV: First Person Dual Perspective
Main Couple: Scout and Silas
Trope(s): Grumpy vs Sunshine, Workplace, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, He Falls First

It has been a minute since I’ve picked up a Vivian Wood book. This is the second book in her Seattle Havoc Hockey Series. Having not read the first book I did not feel lost at all. Vivian easily worked in some of the plot from book one. She also drops easter eggs about the next book. This is a slow burn, trust building, soul searching, slight angst, found family/family read that has moments where you shake your kindle, swoon, get worked up in all the good ways, and appreciate a HEA with no third act break-up. Silas is the Ice Man, but Scout is his sunshine.

Scout Nash, newly divorced, working for the NHL team Havoc as their go-to girl, trying to figure out her next steps and how to use her Kinesiology degree.

Silas Huxley, the guy that turned Scout down eight years ago because he wanted to focus on hockey, and has spent those years regretting it ever since. Now she is working with his team and her ex-husband is his manager.

With her background and yoga certification and the fact that the team needs help countering injuries, Scout is encouraged to put together a program for the team.

Scout is rebuilding her life, her ex kept her isolated, and now she is finding friends in the Coven, creating The Naughty Girl Scout List, and swiping on dating apps.

Silas watches all of this from the shadows. Needing to keep her at arms length.

When Silas is injured, in what could be a career ending injury if he isn’t careful, it’s decided he needs a babysitter. Scout is nominated.

Silas is known as The Ice Man. He is hyper focused. Does not know who he is off the ice.

But, he comes to her rescue, especially with her ex-husband, who takes pleasure in belittling Scout.

Silas understands her in all the ways Enzo never even tried.

But, they are both damaged in different ways, trying to figure out just who they are, and where they are going in life.

[Kristie-Lee Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had really high hopes for Dear MVP, You’re Ice Cold — especially because I loved the first book in this series.

This one follows Silas, our grumpy, hockey-first defender, and Scout, his long-time off-limits crush (and his agent’s ex-wife 👀). Add forced proximity and unresolved tension and you know the chemistry is going to deliver.

And honestly? The beginning hooked me. The app messaging was fun and sexy, the grumpy/sunshine dynamic worked so well, and I loved watching Scout grow into her confidence. Silas may be ice cold on the outside, but underneath? Total Teddy Bear. The spice level was solid without taking over the story, and I really appreciated the emotional depth and relationship development.

That said, I did struggle in the final stretch. There were noticeable continuity issues and repeated lines/details that pulled me out of the story and had me scanning past page to ensure I wasn’t going mad. The last portion felt a bit disjointed and confusing, like parts of the ending may have been out of order.
Since this was an ARC, I tried to keep that in mind—but it wasn’t easy to overlook.

Overall, I’m landing at ⭐⭐⭐ because the potential here is undeniable. The characters are lovable, the concept is strong, and with tighter editing this could truly shine.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love a second chance romance. Throw in hockey and grumpy/sunshine and I'm all in. Scout and Silas have a past but drifted apart. Scout is healing from a divorce and Silas keeps his emotions to himself. Their chemistry and banter was fun. Scout grew so much and was able to find herself.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 to 3 ⭐️

📚I have been kindly provided an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest review. Sorry for the long review but I want to describe all the reasons for my rating.📚

I wish I would have loved this book, and it started great. I was really into the first chapters and enjoyed the writing style of the author. Sports romance is my jam, so I was looking into eating this one up.

1. What I liked :

Both characters are really enjoyable. Both good people. Her lacking a bit of backbone but very sweet.
He is cold from the outside but he has good reasons.
I like the fact that they talked through the App. It was mostly sexy and built a bit of heat.
Good amount of spice , not too much and the book is not about smut, which is nice. There is a good relationship content, with nice feelings and cuddles 🥰.
This is a classic grumpy/sunshine relationship.

2. What I disliked:

a/He falls first and she falls eventually but it’s not super clear when. He was pretty much closed off and not engaging at all, for a good portion of the book. He barked on her and left the room most of the times. Outside of the fact he is hot, what does she like about him ?
I did not feel the connection cause they did not interact much, except on the App, where she did not know she was talking to him. For me the chemistry was not present. I did not feel much there, to be honest.

b/ the timelines and plot are weird:
Scout is 26. According to Silas, she asked him out at university 8 years ago, so they were 18. Then, he says she dropped the uni program «shortly after ».
She has been with her ex 6 years, so she was 20 and he made her drop her sports kinesiology degree or she dropped it because her mother died. Anyway, she did not graduate and keeps saying she has the proper training but no PT certification so she cannot practice.
A PT degree takes around 7 years . So if she dropped uni around 18 or 20 ( this is muddy), she was nowhere close to being a PT. But a NHL team considers her handle the players PT program ? Seems really unlikely. In order for this to work, the characters should be a little older and she should have studied for it and not pass the certification. Maybe ??

C/ why does she live with him ?
The reasoning is bad. They could have hired a live-in nurse for 8 weeks if the issue was that he could not dress by himself and needed medical attention. She is supposed to help him ( she is nowhere qualified for it) and manage his recovery but nothing of that sort happens.
She is basically a roommate and the end of her « contract » is never discussed again. She just lives there.

D/ the editing is not up to par in this book.
It’s a shame cause it destroys the story. It looks like a puzzle . Stuff happens and happens again and again. Or does not happen but they think it happened. And the characters seem to have amnesia because of everything is out of sorts.

- Is their relationship a secret ? Tough to say.
Sometimes it is not, when she wears his jersey right after they start their relationship. They also go to a work gala as a couple. Like clearly in the open. But later they fear consequences with HR and say they kept it a secret . When exactly was this hidden ?

- The marriage proposal/ happening or not happening ? This ruined to book for me. Sometimes she wears an engagement ring (What ?? Did I miss the proposal ??) but next chapter he has not proposed yet (but he says he wants to marry her). Then again, next chapter she is stunned when he talks about a future marriage. And then again in the next chapter, she is stunned when he mentions a future proposal. The script is SO off it’s painful.

To sum up, the multiple plot inconsistencies made it impossible for me to enjoy the book. It’s a shame cause it could have been great if the plot was solid.
Maybe another could save it ?
🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC READ | SPOILER REVIEW | Dear MVP, You’re Ice Cold

Oh. My. God.. This man 🥵

This book did not just melt the ice, it shattered it!!

⚠️ Spoilers ahead ⚠️

Let’s talk about our “ice cold” MVP.
This man is emotionally locked down from page one. Controlled. Untouchable. He treats relationships like contracts.. you know structured, sometimes temporary, no feelings allowed. Then Scout walks in, completely unimpressed by his status? You can practically feel his composure immediately crack.

What makes this romance so intoxicating is that he is not instantly obsessed or so he wants you to think 😏. He fights it, and I mean he fights it HARD baby. He keeps her at arm’s length, insists this is casual, insists he doesn’t do emotional attachment. Meanwhile, the tension between them is so thick it’s suffocating!! Suffocate me all you want Defense Daddy 🤤

The scene where they’re forced into close proximity after his injury is 🔥 Had me on edge waiting for something to happen! The way he lets his guard down for half a second just long enough for her to see how exhausted and vulnerable he really is? That’s when everything shifts. You see the side of Silas no one sees.

And then comes the almost-confession scene.

When he gets jealous at the charity gala and pulls Scout aside not to stake a claim publicly, but because he cannot stand the thought of someone else touching her? Uhhh why is this so hot 🥵 That was the moment I knew he was screwed!!! He just hadn’t admitted it yet!!

The heat between them is simmering for so long that when they finally give in, it feels explosive. Not just physical.. and DAMN Silas 🥵… it’s emotional as well. He’s not just taking control; he’s unraveling her. There’s desperation in the way he kisses her, like he’s terrified she’ll walk away if he loosens his grip.

What shocked and also killed me is when he tells her he “can’t give her what she wants” because he doesn’t know how to love without losing control 😭 OMG baby who hurt you 💔
I want to hug Silas and cry 😭

He says this not because he doesn’t care, but because he cares too much and it terrifies him.

Scout find out he’s been hiding something and she walks away… Queen behavior.

The final grand gesture?

When he shows up after the playoff win, not with a trophy speech, but finally admitting he doesn’t want to be ice cold anymore if it means losing her? That confession is everything!!! He doesn’t promise perfection. He promises effort. Vulnerability. Growth. That means more to Scout than anything!!

That’s what made this romance hit so hard!!
This isn’t just a hockey player falling in love. It’s a man learning that strength isn’t control it’s emotional risk.

If you love:
🔥 Broody, emotionally guarded heroes
🔥 Jealousy that simmers before it snaps
🔥 Forced proximity that leads to tension overload
🔥 A heroine who refuses to accept less than she deserves
🔥 A final confession that feels earned

This book absolutely delivers!!! Its brilliant!!!
The MVP may start out ice cold… but by the end? He’s burning. 🏒🔥

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Firstly, thank you Vivian Wood for this ARC. All opinions are honest and my own.**

It genuinely pains me to say this was a 3 star read. I wanted to love this book so badly. This was my first hockey romance, and the Grumpy x Sunshine trope combined with a big, overprotective MMC? That should have been an automatic win for me. On paper, this had everything I love.

And honestly, there were so many good qualities here. The foundation of the story was strong. The characters had potential. The emotional beats were there. But the execution just didn’t match the vision, and that was incredibly frustrating.

This book is set to release before the end of the month, but it honestly feels like it still needs another full editing pass. There were noticeable spelling and grammar mistakes throughout, and sometimes entire thoughts felt like they were skipped or cut short. There were also multiple instances where the same sentence—or nearly identical phrasing—was repeated in the following paragraphs, which pulled me out of the story.

I also started to feel overwhelmed by the constant repetition of certain descriptors. “Ice Man.” “Lavender and eucalyptus.” “Pretty girl.” “Black yoga pants.” “Moss green/Grey blue eyes.” And I’m still not entirely sure—was her hair dirty blonde or brown? These details kept changing or repeating to the point where it became distracting instead of immersive.

Character consistency was another challenge. Silas remained emotionally closed off and harsh for so much of the book that his eventual shift didn’t feel as earned as it could have. And Scout’s confidence fluctuated in ways that didn’t always feel intentional—she would move between timid and self-assured without enough emotional development to support those changes.

BUT let me add that if you want smut, this book has GOT IT 😅 I’m not generally a smut reader, but this was nice and spicy if you’re wanting that kind of thing. Personally it was good smut 🥵😮‍💨 (if you know me and you’re reading this, no you don’t).

What makes this especially disappointing is that the bones of the story are good. The tropes are there. The emotional moments are there. You can see what this book was trying to be. But it needed more refinement to fully bring that vision to life.

I truly hope this story gets another round of editing before publication, because with more polish, it has the potential to be something really special.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear MVP, You're Ice Cold is the second book in Wood's Seattle Havoc series. This grumpy/sunshine, second chance hockey romance features Scout Nash and Silus Huxley.

Recently divorced, Scout is working for the Seattle Havoc and living with a fellow employee, Jessa. Her marriage to Enzo Morelli, former hockey player and now sports agent, was not a good one. It left her questioning her own value. In order to keep from thinking about her problems, she ensures she's perpetually busy tending to others. Her kinesiology degree from U of W goes unused although she often spots things when watching the players, and how she could help them.

Silus Huxley is the team's star defender. This beast of a man (6'8") is also known as the Ice Man as he doesn't show emotion. The grumpy star, along with his brother and teammates, Hunter and Jett, are collectively known as the Brothers Grimm.

When Scout and Silus were both attending U of W, she asked him out. He turned her down as he was focused on his future and dedicated every minute to hockey. That said, he regretted it. Even more, he hated that she ended up with Enzo, his agent, and how miserable he left her. He sees not only her beauty but her heart and her abilities. He wishes she could be his but knows she deserves better.

When Silus injures his elbow and refuses to go to a facility, the team makes him an alternate offer. Scout can move in with him, temporarily, to ensure he doesn't overdo it. He reluctantly agrees and then essentially kicks himself for allowing this woman he yearns for in his space. The grump-factor gets amplified but behind the scenes, both Silus and Scout anonymously connect on an online dating platform as StatMan12 and Yoga4Lyfe, respectively. Silus knows it is Scout and seemingly uses that to his advantage, while Scout has no idea who the mystery man is behind the screen.

Of course, living together they grow closer and eventually admit to their feelings, but Silus doesn't admit to being StatMan12 until it is too late. Will their second chance at happiness be torn away due to lack of communication? You'll have to read it to find out.

I found this book to be entertaining and enjoyable. The two main characters have undeniable chemistry. It was fun to watch the Ice Man melt, as well as seeing Scout find her way back to herself. The book hinted at the next couple to be matched in the series so I'm looking forward to checking it out.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Scout’s my fantasy, come to life. Always has been.”

Dear MVP, You’re Ice Cold is the second book in the Seattle Havoc series, and this installment delivers another addictive blend of hockey, tension, and emotional growth. This time we follow Silas—the grumpy, hyper focused defender whose entire personality has been “hockey first, everything else never”—and Scout, his long time off limits crush who also happens to be his agent’s ex wife. Silas walked away from any chance with her back in college because he thought wanting her meant losing hockey. Now she’s divorced, working for the team, and thanks to some very convenient circumstances, they’re suddenly living under the same roof. Nothing like forced proximity to test a man’s priorities.

“Maybe two broken people can figure out how to be less broken together.”

I really enjoyed this romance and the emotional work both characters had to do. Scout is rebuilding her confidence after an emotionally abusive marriage and a lifetime of putting everyone else’s needs above her own. Silas, meanwhile, has to confront the fact that he’s been using hockey as both shield and identity. Watching them slowly unlearn their patterns—and occasionally crash into each other along the way—was incredibly satisfying.

“She just lets me be whatever I need to be while making sure I’m not alone in it.”

Their start is rocky, prickly, and full of tension, but once the walls start to crack, the chemistry absolutely ignites. What I loved most is how their relationship becomes a space where both of them can grow. Scout learns to take up space again, to want things for herself, and to trust that she deserves more than bare minimum affection. Silas learns that life doesn’t fall apart if he lets someone in—that love doesn’t compete with ambition, it expands it.

“She’s essential. Like breathing. Like hockey. Like…the ice beneath my skate.”

By the time they settle into something real, it feels earned, steady, and deeply supportive. This series is shaping up to be such a fun, heartfelt ride, and I’m already counting down until the next Havoc player gets knocked off his axis and into his HEA.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK a bit of a struggle to rate this book. I really wanted to rate it more than three stars because this book has so much potential. It starts off extremely strong and was strong going into the story, but towards the end it felt weak and off. I got so confused in the end. It felt like the book needs to go through a heavy edit or beta to get the ending right. Why do you ask I say this? Let me explain a bit further.

In the end the scenes jump around and confuse the reader. It seems like the correct ending is in the wrong place. ***Small Spoiler Alert***The engagement ring gives away the ending before the question is even asked, which does happen later towards the end in multiple ways that really confused me. The last 30% of the book is a jumbled mess to me.

OK reasons why it rated 3 instead of less:

The cast line up is amazing. I fell in love with the characters and they have great personalities. The backstory with Scout and her ex gave the book some depth and character. I liked her struggles and thought that readers could relate to this. Her ex is a slimy douche and he played his part very well.

Silas struggles as well with being open with others and has his own struggles to overcome in this book. I enjoyed his character immensely and thought the author was spot on with his character. It is nice to see the alpha have issues of his own.

I love hockey romance, as it is a favorite genre of mine. I felt the author was on point with the basis of her story and the way she was laying it out until the end. Her delivery of the end was off and I really think she needs to go back and fix that. The book is an ARC and is unedited so maybe she will fix this before release. Other than this the book has fun elements that are sure to give you a laugh or two. It also has some extremely heated scenes that are well written and very enjoyable. It has heart and lots of big emotions. It is nice to see the sports hero with struggles too.

Overall most of this book was well written and very enjoyable. I loved the characters and would like to see more from them in the future. I hope that happens and the author has a great group of betas to help it go off with a bang, because there is so much potential here.

[Riley Vanderhoot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC, and I’ve genuinely struggled with how to rate and review it. This book has a lot of potential. I was drawn to the concept and the overall storyline right away — there’s a solid foundation here and moments that truly worked for me.

That said, this version does not feel ready for release. It seems to need a strong editors look.

I’m usually very understanding about typos in ARCs. I know they aren’t final copies. But the number of typos and continuity errors in this version made it difficult to stay immersed. Instead of getting lost in the story, I found myself getting distracted — and at times, frustrated. I even considered DNF’ing more than once, which I hate saying because I could see the potential underneath it all.

There were repeated lines and phrases that became noticeable (“they call me Ice Man because…” / “they call him Ice Man…”), and certain emotional or physical beats were revisited as if for the first time, even though they had already clearly happened. For example, discussions around marriage felt like they were happening for the first time multiple times—even after a chapter that referenced an engagement ring. By the final chapter, I honestly wondered if elements from a future book had accidentally been mixed into this one. Many scenes in the book were drawn out ,and others that needed clarity or explanation were glossed over, like getting engaged.

What I did love was the healing journey for both characters. Watching Scout grow into herself and gain confidence was meaningful and one of the strongest aspects of the story. The emotional arc is there — it just needs polishing so it can fully shine.

Overall, I see the potential. I really do. But based on the version I was provided, I can’t justify rating it higher than 3 stars. I hope it receives the editing attention it deserves before release, because the core story is worth developing.

Thank you to Vivian Wood for allowing me to be on her ARC team. I wish you the best of luck with this book and any future books you publish.

[MJ Jernigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and put it between 2.5-3.5 stars.
While I enjoyed the plot and the characters thoroughly, it was a bit repetitive (especially about the “Ice Man” nickname) and hard to follow at times.
What I liked:
I loved the characters. Classic grumpyxsunshine, forced proximity, second chance romance. The main two characters are very lovable, Scout especially. She grows from nervous and unsure of herself from a past breakup into a confident woman. I enjoy reading how they grow together as people and in their relationship. Scout’s ex is written very well as an unlikable douche ex-husband. I feel the characters have depth and very good emotion and I can buy into them easily. This book is also a second chance romance where they come back to each other 8 years later and you get to see their struggles today bring them together. I really liked how Silas did in his first therapy session: “ you’ve got your entire identity around being useful to other people. But what if your value isn’t tied to what you can do for others? But if you matter, just because you exist?” What a powerful statement that is, “what if you matter just because you exist?” A lot of hockey books don’t show the struggles, or mental health struggles specifically, of the hockey players so that is also appreciated in this book. You get to see both of them learn and grow.

What I didn’t like:
It was initially hard for me to get into and a bit hard to follow. I really enjoyed the storyline otherwise, but the constant repetitiveness made it difficult to get through as well. The *SPOILER* engagement thing was hard to follow a little bit due to some stuff at the ending in the last few chapters.

Overall, I really like the classic tropes this book provided as well as the character development for both of the main characters. I really enjoy a book where you can watch the characters grow and develop instead of them just being stagnant. This is a really great foundation for the second book in this series and I’m excited to see where the author takes it from here before publication.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear MVP, You're Ice Cold by Vivian Wood is the second title in the Seattle Havoc series and I thoroughly enjoyed it despite a few prepublication issues which hasn't really changed my overall opinion.
The plot and storyline had me hooked quickly with its mix of hockey action, cast of characters and emotional drama. The main characters, Silas and Scout, were both believable and realistic in terms of their personal growth, individually and towards one another, during the course of the story.
Silas and Scout met years ago at college and did harbour mutual attraction towards one another but Silas rebuffed Scout's advance due to his single minded focus on his hockey.
Scout was scooped up by another professional hockey player and suffered an unhappy marriage and we find her recently divorced and working for the Seattle Havoc team where Silas is a star defence man.
Silas and Scout have remained in the same orbit over many years but never really knew each other or became friends. They have secretly kept varying degrees of feelings for one another locked down but circumstances see Silas injured and Scout assigned as his temporary live-in caregiver/supervisor that gives the long standing dormant chemistry a chance to ignite.
Scout has struggled with personal insecurities and lack of self worth and gets an opportunity with the team to revisit her college study speciality for the benefit of the players and Silas, enabling her to grow and gain self confidence.
Silas suffering with his injury is forced to face questions regarding his life direction other than playing and struggles with the control and focus he formerly used and relied on as his identity and sense of self worth.
The forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, off limits and slow burn elements were really evident and utilised through the story making the arc of character development and their personal journeys to their HEA very satisfying.
I look forward to reading more titles from this series.

I received a free ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danielle Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review for Dear MVP, You're Ice Cold (3.5 ⭐)

First and foremost, let's go over what worked well. The storyline / premise itself was fantastic! I am a huge fan of all sports-type romances and this was unique enough to keep me super interested. The spice was *chefs kiss*, starts early in the storyline (literally like 9% in and it was good!), and continues without feeling stale throughout the entirety of the book. The chemistry between Scout and Silas was both sizzling and a slow burn (iykyk) and watching them dance around each other was incredibly entertaining. At the end of the day, if these two characters had more to give us, I would be first in line to soak it all in.

With all of that being the case, you're probably wondering why 3.5 ⭐ instead of 5 ⭐? Unfortunately, based off of the edition I was provided, this story would really benefit from another strong round of editing before publication. Putting aside the typos / grammar issues because that can be pretty common with an ARC and gets resolved before release, there were many repetitive statements and scenarios sometimes even within the same page or paragraph (ex. certain character traits, like how rarely Silas has been touched, were reiterated so often that it became distracting). There were also a lot of inconsistencies particularly from chapter 34 through to the end of the book. One scene would show the couple at one point in their life and the next seemed to negate everything that had happened just moments prior.

Again, none of this is to say that the book isn't great or enjoyable (because it was and it is), but these negatives unfortunately impacted the reading experience enough to lower it from what I initially expected to give it.

Despite these issues, I did genuinely enjoy this story and would still recommend it, especially for readers who love sports romance with strong chemistry and spice. I’m interested to see how this author’s future releases continue to develop.

[Gin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The overall story was good, with a good mix of humour, angst and romance.

Most of the time, when I read an ARC, the book is pretty much ready for publishing-- there might be a couple of typos which I can overlook for the sake of review because I figure they will be caught before the book goes to press. However, this book had a lot of issues:
1. inconsistencies (Silas is two different heights, has two different jersey numbers)
2. repetitive conversations (almost as if the author didn't know where to put the conversation in the story, tried it in two or three spots, then forgot to take out the ones they had decided against)
3. ideas that were started and then never really resolved e.g., Scout is concerned about her lack of certifications early in the book and then this is dropped. Surely the team (or Silas, after they are a couple) could've offered her support in obtaining them?
4. some strange timeline things. For example, it's January in Chapter 1, December in Chapter 2, then I lose track of time. Later in the book, Scout and Sable go for brunch and leave when the "sun is beginning to set." Considering sunset in January/February in Seattle is late afternoon/ dinner time, that's a really long brunch!
5. Scout as first doesn't seem to care about the team organization knowing about her and Silas and possible repercussions. Then something is revealed to her and she suddenly becomes concerned. Yet, when she and Silas have a fight, she runs to her friends (i.e., people who work for the team or are married to people who do) for comfort.

Anyway, I really hope an editor went over the book a couple of more times before it was published and would be happy to update my review if all the issues were fixed.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the Seattle Havoc series featuring Silas and Scout's feel good emotional, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, hockey, second chance, steamy, workplace romance. Scout is looking for a fresh start after a brutal divorce from her powerful ex-husband, she seeks purpose, peace and not to be in the spotlight. Scout thinks that working for the Seattle Havoc is safe enough for her until the team assigns her to live with Silas Huxley the injured MVP. Silas is all about hockey he lives and breathes it to the point that he walked away from the girl who he wanted in college because he thought that he could lose hockey, he didn't realize that he could have both. Now injured Silas really has no patience and he's not happy that the team decided to send someone to manage him especially when he sees who the team chose. Not only is Scout the woman who he had feelings for in college she's also his agents ex-wife so how is Silas supposed to live with her knowing that he's attracted to her and that they have strong chemistry between them. However Scout swore off athletes after she went through her brutal divorce but she can't deny the attraction and the chemistry between them. Will Silas finally figure out that there are other things in life besides hockey? Will Scout be willing to open her heart to love again? You really need to read this feel good emotional, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, hockey, second chance, steamy, workplace romance to see what happens. I would definitely recommend reading this book and I'm looking forward to the next book in this wonderful hockey series.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY UNPUTDOWNABLE.

This book is the definition of control shattering romance.

Silas Huxley is ice cold discipline wrapped in elite athlete perfection and watching him crack is intoxicating.
He’s spent his entire career mastering restraint… until Scout Nash moves in and becomes the one thing he can’t ignore, outrun or lock out.

Scout is done being owned by powerful men and dealing with fame adjacent chaos.
She wants quiet, healing and a fresh start.
Instead, she’s trapped in forced proximity with a grumpy MVP whose voice sinks under her skin and whose self control starts to fracture every time she pushes back.

And the tension? Unreal.
The banter is foreplay.
Every look is loaded.
Every almost-touch is torture.

This is slow burn that hurts so good. The kind where you feel every inch of distance closing between them.
When Silas falls first—and he does, it’s devastating.
He’s the ultimate book boyfriend protective, possessive and hot! Soft in ways he’s never allowed himself to be. He doesn’t just want Scout… he needs her. And Scout? She doesn’t save him…she melts him.

The emotional payoff is massive.
The chemistry is scorching.
The vulnerability sneaks up on you and punches you straight in the chest.

If you love:
🔥 Grumpy x sunshine
🔥 Forced proximity
🔥 Injured, unraveling heroes
🔥 Workplace tension
🔥 Protective men who fall hard
🔥 Slow burn with explosive payoff

Stop scrolling, pick this up and cancel your plans.

Once Silas breaks his rules, there’s no going back—and neither will you.

[Melissa Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC COPY-

First let me start by saying I love a grumpy sunshine mix- but then you want to add in a second chance romance, touch her and ***, and only melts for her? I was sold. I loved these characters together!

Scout has such an amazing heart. When reading about her it is easy to think of people you know who are willing to bend over backwards for everyone around them, but terrified to ask for anything for themselves without being labeled “too much.” Watching her grow during the book was great because she kept the best parts of herself while developing some much needed confidence.

Silas…. Dear broody Silas…. And his brothers!! Who doesn’t love a strong silent man who makes it his goal to be HER rock. It was a tough go in the beginning and I wasn’t sure where all of the secrets were going to end up but I loved how open he finally became in the end. He has a lot of baggage that he works for to have the relationship he deserves. Reading how he developed not just mentally but also who his hockey game improved throughout was icing on the cake.

“But maybe you're a little broken too. Maybe two broken people can figure out how to be less broken together."

Overall great side characters and a good story you will want to add to your 2026 reading list!

I received this arc copy free and these are my own opinions- I do know there are some typos and inconsistent smaller details but I don’t feel it took away from the couples story.

[Petals & Pages Romance Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivian Wood’s writing style is evocative and fast-paced. She handles the sports romance elements with legitimacy, capturing the high-stakes pressure of the NHL, but the heart of the book is domestic intimacy. The "slow burn" here is executed perfectly. The physical attraction is immediate and electric, but the emotional connection is earned through quiet moments and shared vulnerabilities.

In the landscape of modern sports romance, the "grumpy" hero is a staple, but in Dear MVP, You’re Ice Cold, Vivian Wood gives us something more clinical and complex in Silas Huxley. Silas isn't just "grumpy"—he is a man defined by a rigid, almost monastic commitment to his craft. As the MVP of the Seattle Havoc, his body is his temple, and his career is his singular identity.

Wood masterfully handles the pacing of their emotional intimacy. The "slow burn" here is lovely because it’s rooted in dialogue and shared silence. We see them move from hostile roommates to hesitant allies, and finally to a deep, soul-baring partnership.

My Final Thoughts:
Dear MVP, You’re Ice Cold is a standout addition to the Seattle Havoc series. It’s a story about healing, both physical and emotional. The brave act of letting someone in when you’re used to standing alone. Whether you’re a die-hard sports romance fan or just looking for a story about two people finding their way back to themselves through each other, this is a must-read!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[De Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a good read in my opinion. I always love a good hockey romance and this one did such a good job of pulling you in, keeping you interested. Scout was so real and genuine. She was struggling after her messy divorce, left a little aimless and wanting privacy. She thought she found it with the Havoc. Enter Silas…the complication. He picked hockey over everything, including love, not understanding he didn’t have to. He picked hockey over Scout. When the team sends her over to manage him things really heat up. The chemistry between them is absolutely insane. But it’s not without its complications- mainly their history and who she was married to. But that doesn’t stop the fires of attraction from burning bright and hot. The interactions between them heat up and tension mounts. These characters are so real and relatable. I felt so much for Scout and her struggles fighting the damage from her ex. Seeing the growth that both Silas and Scout experience only serves to make them connect with the reader even more. Watching their relationship develop and how that influences so many aspects of their lives was endearing. Silas turns into the perfect boyfriend for Scout. It morphs from simply wanting each other to an encompassing need. The raw emotion and vulnerability in the story pulls your heart along to a very satisfying ending. This book ends in a way that will leave you feeling supported and anything but ice cold.

[Kazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear MVP, You’re Ice Cold is the second book in the Seattle Havoc series and this is the story of Silas and Scout. Silas is the grumpy, entirely hockey focussed defender on the Havoc team and Scout is working at Havoc after her divorce from Silas’s agent. Silas and Scout had history, she asked him on a date in college and he said no, he thought wanting Scout would compromise his chance of a successful hockey career After a bad injury in a game, Silas is faced with accepting the coach’s decision of having someone move into his house with him to manage his rehabilitation, and when the coach selected Scout to be that person he was not happy, every interaction between Scout and himself was filled with friction but the chemistry was hot! Living together it was only a matter of time before their relationship became more than roommates, however it was not easy, they both had insecurities and no confidence in relationships. How were they ever going to overcome their own fears and give their love a chance.
I really enjoyed this book, the characters were all beautifully written and the banter between Silas and his two brothers is really funny but the development of Scout’s confidence in herself and Silas being able to work on his own problems meant that they could start being honest with each other and build up their relationship.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book via BookFunnel and I am writing this review voluntarily

[Christi Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Dear MVP, You’re Ice Cold
Author: Vivian Wood
Format: Ebook
Genre: Sports Romance (Hockey), Workplace Romance, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine
Standalone: yes
Part of a Series: Seattle Havoc book 2
POV: Scout, Silas
Steam Level: toasty
4/5

I really enjoyed this book.

I loved seeing Scout and Silas grow individually and as a couple. When we first meet Scout she’s constantly helping others in order to feel needed-like she’d be tossed aside if she’s not needed. Her ex-husband really did a number on her. Silas is grumpy, closed-off and 100% focused on hockey. He’s also lonely but he’d never admit it. Silas and Scout have a history and this book is their second chance at a first love. Both are wary about starting anything but also secretly want each other. I enjoyed the characters’ growth, maturity in dealing with conflict when it arose and the non-judgmental way that mental health is portrayed. I simultaneously didn’t want this story to end but also wanted to see what would happen.

It’s been a while since I’ve read Vivian Wood and definitely will be reading the two books related to this one. Not because I have to to better enjoy this story but because I want to.

I received an advanced version of this book for free from the author. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Christi Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Dear MVP, You’re Ice Cold
Author: Vivian Wood
Format: Ebook
Genre: Sports Romance (Hockey), Workplace Romance, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine
Standalone: yes
Part of a Series: Seattle Havoc book 2
POV: Scout, Silas
Steam Level: toasty
4/5

I really enjoyed this book.

I loved seeing Scout and Silas grow individually and as a couple. When we first meet Scout she’s constantly helping others in order to feel needed-like she’d be tossed aside if she’s not needed. Her ex-husband really did a number on her. Silas is grumpy, closed-off and 100% focused on hockey. He’s also lonely but he’d never admit it. Silas and Scout have a history and this book is their second chance at a first love. Both are wary about starting anything but also secretly want each other. I enjoyed the characters’ growth, maturity in dealing with conflict when it arose and the non-judgmental way that mental health is portrayed. I simultaneously didn’t want this story to end but also wanted to see what would happen.

It’s been a while since I’ve read Vivian Wood and definitely will be reading the two books related to this one. Not because I have to to better enjoy this story but because I want to.

I received an advanced version of this book for free from the author. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slowburn Second Chance Hockey Romance
Hockey comes first with Silas Hurley. It always has and that is not changing. Even when it comes to Scout Nash, his agent’s ex-wife. She is off-limits for about a dozen different reasons. Plus, there is the fact he does not do relationships. So why does her face keep appearing in his head. He cannot start pining after her again. Scout Nash has known this stubborn jerk for years. He’s always hostile. You just have to work around it if you want to deal with him. People call him Ice Man, but she has seen glimpses of something else underneath. He’s not cold. He’s scared of being anything else and hockey is his life. Now they are forced to live together and lines become blurry. Silas is keeping a secret that could blow everything apart for them. This is a slowburn close proximity hockey romance that shows character healing and growth while having chemistry, spice, fun banter and team and friend support is right up there too. An enjoyable second chance romance between Miss Sunshine and Mr. Grumpy. The only reason I did not give it a 5 star is that I was confused in a couple spots with the timeline, but I voluntarily read an advance copy of the book and that may be corrected in the final version.

[Carol Gaines · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOODNESS!!! This book was so good I devoured it. So much yearning and lingering touches. And Holy Hot tamales was there HEAT/SPICE!!! 🔥🔥🔥
I loved how Silas was known as Ice Man within the hockey world because he didn’t show emotions, but being around Scout he was able to open up more and that icy exterior started to melt. He showed up for her when she needed support, whether it was for family issues or work related problems. He also was so protective of her even before they got together. Absolutely adored how he stuck up for her with her ex. And I was so freaking excited when he got what was coming to him, that smug twatwaffle.
Being with Silas made Scout realize she wasn’t just someone people looked over. That she wasn’t just an outsider looking in. It’s hard to rewire your brain after someone has made you believe you’re nothing for years. She was able to stand up for herself against her ex and also say her peace to her dad that had been building for years. She really needed someone to help her realize her self worth. They brought out the better in each other. They had a few problems/ hurdles they had to go through but no relationship is perfect. They figure things out and are able to have their happily ever after.

[Sarina Bek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off strong, and I was quickly drawn into the story of Scout and Silas. The chemistry between them was engaging, and the emotional tension felt well-developed in the first three-quarters of the novel. I especially appreciated Scout’s character growth — watching her move from a place of insecurity, shaped by her ex-husband’s harsh treatment and damaging comments, toward rebuilding her confidence was one of the highlights of the story.

However, as the book progressed, the narrative began to lose focus. Certain moments felt repetitive, and there were instances where details seemed inconsistent with earlier parts of the story. It created some confusion and made me question whether events were unfolding as intended or if there were continuity errors.

Toward the end, the pacing felt rushed and disjointed, with scenes jumping quickly from one moment to the next. The final chapter, in particular, didn’t seem to fit seamlessly with Scout and Silas’s storyline, as it shifted focus to other characters in a way that felt disconnected from the main story.

Overall, the core story of Silas and Scout has real potential. With a thorough re-edit to tighten continuity, smooth transitions, and refine the ending, this could be a much stronger and more cohesive romance.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Silas and Scout’s story. Vivian did such a good job with them. Silas Huxley is known as the Ice-man on the ice and it’s due to his emotions. All he knows is hockey and when he is injured, he has to look at him not being indestructible. Scout is the gopher at the company, but she has a degree in kinesiology and wants to do more for the team. She is also the ex to Silas’s agent who is a big jerk and that is putting it lightly. Scout is a person who wants to make everyone around her happy and she is sunshine. Silas is grumpy and has liked Scout since college. With her degree and his injury, she is going to stay with Silas to help him get better. With their proximity, they will have to come to terms with their feelings towards each other. There is drama in the form of their feelings and Scout’s ex. There are also some funny times, especially when the players are together or it’s just the brothers. This team though, is like a family and are there for each other. It was great seeing these two break down their walls. You just need to read this book and see exactly what happens. You won’t regret it. This is a standalone and you won’t be lost if you don’t read the first book.
S: “Maybe two broken people can figure out how to be less broken together."

[Lou Li Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Seattle Havoc series, and another Huxley brother to follow! It’s a standalone with interconnected characters and here we meet Silas Huxley, baby bro of the trio of brothers and his college crush who he once rejected, Scout Nash who is now working for the Havocs while Silas is the D-man for the team. This book really centers around Scout finding her feet after exiting a marriage that completely shattered her as a person, knocking her confidence and losing herself from essentially an emotional abusive relationship. Silas has been harboring a crush on Scout since college but wanted to focus on hockey and nothing else, he’s emotionally unavailable or has been up until he was put on the IR list and was forced to have Scout babysit him. This book was quite fun with Scouts girl gang supporting her confidence boost and a bit of online dating, but plot twist… the hidden identity trope is strong here and I couldn’t put this down until I read how that would all pan out! A great grumpy X sunshine with forced proximity read!

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own

[Catherine R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC, and share my honest feedback below.

First, let’s look at the positives. I love the plot idea. I really liked how Silas’s character was a complete softie under his gruff exterior. I liked the MH rep in the book, and how therapy was addressed. The spice was initially spicy, then moved more to “fade to black” as the story moved on. How karma caught up with Enzo - though abrupt, it was satisfying. And I really liked the HEA.

Some areas I wasn’t fond of: the inconsistencies in the plot, especially in the last half of the book. The biggest one was around their engagement - at around 80%, Scout admires her engagement ring, but Silas doesn���t actually propose with a ring until the very end. Also, the repeated mentions of why “people” call Silas ice cold. We get it. On this same theme, Silas’ reaction to Scout’ PT massage being the first time anyone had touched him - but three separate times? The one bed theme was done, twice. And when did Scout learn to skate? Three different options were given.

Overall, I think this was a great idea. With some editing and refinement, think it can be even better (and less repetitive/confusing).