Splintered Ice

Wyncote Wolves #6

by Cali Melle

Olivia

Transferring schools in the middle of my freshman year wasn’t a part of my plan, but I won’t let my smile falter.

Even when I run into my best friend’s older brother… the grumpy hockey player who I had a crush on in high school.

He threatens to break down every wall that I’ve barricaded myself behind, but I can’t let him in. Not when I know that he’ll only break my heart.

He claims that he doesn’t have feelings for me, so I’m left with no choice but to move on from the fantasy land I’ve been living inside my head.

But as soon as I meet another guy, Sterling Barrett has other plans…

And he won’t stop until he sabotages everything.

Sterling

Hockey is the only thing that matters.

There isn’t a single thing in my life that comes above it.

So, when my little sister’s best friend transfers to Wyncote, I add that to the list of things I don’t care about.

After going out of my way to avoid her, my sister begs me to keep Olivia Davis company. Reluctantly, I give in, even though it’s the last thing I want to do

But as I begin to get close with Olivia, I find myself going out of my way to see her.

She is my little sister’s best friend. She isn’t supposed to be anything more to me.

So, why do I find myself running toward her instead of away?

Genres: Hockey, Sports Romance, Sports, Hockey Romance, Romance, College, Grumpy Sunshine

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2023

About the author

Cali Melle is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes sports romance that will pull at your heartstrings. You can always expect her stories to come fully equipped with heartthrobs and a happy ending, along with some steamy scenes.
In her free time, Cali can usually be found living in a magical, fantasy world with the newest book or fanfic she's reading or freezing at the ice rink while she watches her kids play hockey.

Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not having seen Olivia since leaving for college four years previously, when she transfers to Wyncote in the middle of her freshman year, Sterling is intent on restoring the callous attitude he’s always reserved for his little sister’s bestie. When Stella asks him to ensure she’s settling in, he reluctantly agrees knowing it will test his resolve.  
 
I loved watching Sterling and Olivia reconnect and then make a cognizant choice to do the hard things in order to build a relationship on a deeper level. Like all the Wolves, Sterling has found a permanent space in my heart.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😊🥺🥵🫤😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

🗂 Genre: Sports Romance

✨ Tropes: College, Forbidden, Friends-to-Lovers, Grumpy/Sunshine, Virgin h

💋 Kinks: n/a

⚠️ Warning: This sweet and steamy read will leave you wanton.

🚩 Safety Squad: OW/OM Drama (Mild)

📣 Type: Splintered Ice is part of the Wyncote Wolves series, but can be read as a standalone. However, these books will be best enjoyed when read in order.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[C L · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is so bad. I was sucked in by a tiktok which barely even represented the actual plot correctly - felt like a total bait and switch.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, we get Sterling this time. He's one of the Wyncote Wolves that we know of, but haven't had the chance to truly swoon over... until now!

I fell for him hard. He was the kind of grumpy that you just went to hug for a long time until they just melt into a puddle at your feet. He's one of the good ones and his true colors showed, like a sunbeam parting the dark clouds.

Olivia was the perfect girl. She was his sister's best friend... and his something. One of the few people he actually showed his occasional happy to. She's the one that you want all the good things to happen for. Sometimes, she gets in her head and overthinks, but thankfully she's gotta a hockey hottie to help her to just be.. in the moment, be present, be real.

This book was everything I had hoped for and more! Seriously LOVING this hockey world! Gonna be sad when it finally comes to an end.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

it’s so bad i don’t even know what to say. it’s like a wattpad fanfiction written by a 12yo (but worse)

[kira · Rating 3 out of 5]

i debated on what to rate this books because on one hand there were some really cute moments that i really enjoyed, but on the other hand there were some moments that i didn’t like. i decided to go ahead and just settle for the middle rating of 3 stars for now.

as i said, there were some really cute moments that had me smiling. sterling called olivia ‘sunshine’ which i loved.

this book was pretty short and i honestly think it would have benefited from having an additional 100 or so pages so we could get some more character/story development. it felt very faced paced and rushed at times.

something else i didn’t love was how back and forth the characters were about wanting to be with each other. they contradicted themselves and there was a lot of miscommunication.

i am however very excited to see what happens in the next book in this series with stella and simon! (i also still need to read the first 4 books in the series, but i have read book 5 which i loved.)


**thank you so much to cali melle and wildfire marketing for sending me a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Elisa ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i enjoyed that this time the characters actually discussed the future, but still, i fell like i barely know the characters!

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 "Sunshine!!!" stars***



"I don't want you to fall in love with him, Olivia... Fall in love with me instead."

I am enjoying the Wyncote Wolves series and I like these hockey hotties that Cali is treating us with every book!!!
This time, it was Sterling's turn to tell his story...
We was a grumpy man that was totally focused on hockey... He didn't need complications in the form of his little sister's best friend to his life, but when Olivia is transferring schools in the middle of her freshman year, everything are turning upside down in Sterling's uncomplicated world!!!

"She was always my little sister's best friend. I could never look at her as anything more... even if she did look like a fucking angel."

I loved Sterling very much... He seemed like a tough guy, but he was the sweetest...
I loved how he were in Olivia's presence...
Yep, she was off limits, but he couldn't resist taking a bite of the forbidden fruit... His gentle heart that refuced to let down his sister made such a mess, but it was an awakening call and he finally had the chance to give into something that was brewing for a long time...

"She think that I didn't notice her, but she's wrong. I saw her. I've always seen Olivia fucking Davis.
And that's what bothers me the most."

Olivia had a crush on Sterling since she was a small girl, but she knew that this boy was out of her reach for many reasons...
After three years that they have to see each other, they are finding themselves in the same college and because of her best friend, her old crush is everywhere around her and he is not letting her forget and move on...
While, she is adjusting in her new life, everything are turning messy...
She just need a safety net, and Sterling is anything but safe...
Can she follow her heart or her mind will win this war???

"Sterling Barrett.
My best friend's older brother and the boy I crushed on for most of my high school years."

I liked this couple...
I liked the play between them in the beginning...
I liked how this girl was making Sterling acting...
I liked how Olivia was acting out of character in front of him, even though I hated when she was getting in her head and she was hesistating to be bold and just let love guide her...
This was another adorable addition in the Wyncote Wolves world and I can not wait for more!!!
I am already very intrigued by Stella and Simon...

"Just live on the edge with me."
"What happens if I fall?"
"Then I'll be the one to catch you."

**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**

[Isabella · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don’t understand how this book has this high of a rating. i didn’t think it was bad, but like…it was not giving. it was such a short book (only 180 i think) but like took me sooo long to read through. usually i can read like a 300+ page book in 3 days give or take a few. but i just couldn’t get into this one. sure it was cute but everything was just so fast paced like nothing happening in between. not. enough. groveling. either.

[Heather Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by this author! I am in love with this Wyncote Wolves hockey series. In this book, we get Sterling and Olivia's romance! This book has one of my favorite tropes, sibling's best friend!

Sterling is a College senior who plays for their Wyncote hockey team. He has this "playboy" status on campus and then Olivia transfer to his college for her major. These two have had feelings for each other without acting on them. Sterling's sister, Stella, asked him to help Olivia around campus. He reluctantly agrees. The more time Sterling and Olivia spend together, the more they can't fight their feelings!

I loved seeing these two express their feelings and reconnect. Their chemistry was explosive. I read this book in one day as I was consumed by their story! I loved Sterling even though he was stubborn at times. He was also so swoony!

I can't wait until Simon and Stella's book! Oh boy!

[carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Best friends brother is one of my favorite troupes. And this book did not disappoint!!

This is my first book from this author and I cannot wait to read more and go back to this series. I absolutely loved the writing and I could not put it down.

Splintered Ice follows Olivia who is transferring schools to the same college as her best friends brother, Sterling. Her best friend enlists him in welcoming Olivia and making sure she settles in okay.

The more time they spend together the more their connection grows and feelings they’ve had forever come to the surface.

I LOVED them so much. The connection was incredible. I adored them together. Sterling is very much protective of Olivia. If you like grumpy sunshine you would absolutely love this!

Thank you to Wildfire Marketing for the ARC!

[Mandyloves2read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another fantastic read in this series! I loved Sterling and Olivia’s story so much the chemistry between these two was amazing it’s intense passionate and sweet also hot af this is full of tropes I love definitely recommend!

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, fast read!

I absolutely LOVE a college hockey team setting. All the feelings and angst is so relatable for me personally and I just get it in the FEELS.

I loved all the tropes in this one too; it made it an enjoyable read.

I would have liked the book to be longer. I felt there was a deeper story to Olivia and Sterling and it was only touched upon superficially. I definitely could have read a full length featuring them.

I did like that the mention of putting boundaries in place in relationships. When sterling was being an asshole, Olivia called him out on it & we love to see it.

Tropes:
Siblings best friend
College hockey
Virgin heroine

Steam:
🌶️🌶️

[Annabelle (annabelles.shelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

[Pauline Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I love sports romance, hockey in particular, but I'd never read Cali Melle so Splintered Ice was a must for me.

The story was a quick, little sister's best friend, read and was easily consumed in a couple of hours on a winter's Saturday afternoon.

Sterling and Olivia were most certainly meant to be together. I loved Sterling especially after he admitted to himself he had feelings for Olivia but there were times when I could have easily have given her a bit of a shake.

All in all a pleasant enough Saturday read with the add d bonus of a new author to read and enjoy.

[Kiera · Rating 1 out of 5]

You may ask yourself Kiera why would you finish a book you rated one star... well let me tell you I was hoping it would get better and it did not.

I can't even put into words how I feel about this book. This book made me want to rip my hair out, the cringe factor was through the roof. Also I think this book should have been placed at BYU cause this gave off Mormon vibes.

Finally, Wattpad called they want their book back.

And that is all I have to say! Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

[Grace Hill · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes every time I saw “my little sisters best friend” and “my best friends brother”

This book was painfully redundant especially for how short it is. Also grumpy/sunshine is a trope, you don’t need to explicitly say it 10 times to get the point across. The plot had potential but it was so rushed. Don’t even get me started on the epilogue…

[Leanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

it’s giving wattpad but not in the Icebreaker way

[Nessa (Tell the Books im Home) · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏒 Hockey Romance
🔥 Slow burn
❣️ Little sister's best friend
⛅ Grumpy Sunshine

I should start by saying that this is my first read of the series, so I just fell right into their world with no previous knowledge of who anyone is.
Which could somewhat affect the review.

Except, I won't let it.
This story started out as a solid 3.5 and stayed that way until the halfway point.
It's a 'grumpy sunshine hockey little sister's best friend romance' and I knew exactly what to expect, so I devoured it.
You can get this one done in 3 hours, a nice romance to get you smiling.

You know what I liked about it — that I'm sure others won't — how healthy it was.

Sure, there's some conflict in there, a little miscommunication but overall, everyone is so... Communicative.
It's like they've all been doing therapy and it's a view of a world where people think before they talk/act.
(And they're also not littered with trauma!)

For that, it went up the half star.
Because it's a sweet story with healthy examples of what "should be", and something the world needs more of.

There's little spice but what happens is hot and well written. Less is more, definitely taking the win on this one.
I am 100% sure that if I'd read the other books in the series, I'd like it even more.

Overall, if you're into sports romance that gets your heart happy and blooming with hope in love, this is a great read.

Thank you for having me on the ARC team, and sending me a copy for a review. The opinion is honest and my own.

[Gabriëlla Croes · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Wyncote Wolves men sure know how to make a woman's heart beat faster. Even if they sometimes mess up.

Olivia gets transferred to the same college as Sterling, her best friend's older brother. And while she has had a crush on him for a long time, she'd never imagine that her feelings might be reciprocated

OOlivia is a complex sunshine character. But so kind. I could just imagine how Sterling would look at her and it made me smile.
Sterling really had to work to make me like him, but he did in the end. I just wish that these two would have talked sooner haha.

"𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐚. 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟𝐟-𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬."

I love Cali Melle's writing style. It keeps me hooked every time. I was unable to put this book down until I finished it.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻.

➛ Sports Romance
➛ Dual 1st person POV - Olivia & Sterling
➛ Tropes: College, Hockey, Forbidden, Best Friend's Older Brother/Sister's Best Friend, Grumpy x Sunshine, Friends To Lovers
➛ Spicy - Slow Burn - Low spice
➛ Standalone in the 𝗪𝘆𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 series. Book #6. Next book: 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁. (March 2023)

[Valerie *valovebooks* Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sterling. I love that name for him. I really loved the beginning of this book and how it was. Very back and forth and just fighting very deep feelings. That push and pull and slow burning love is everything!!! So far this series has surprised me every time. Usually a series can seem repetitive and boring. But not this series!! Wyncote Hockey players are all special and have different storylines, and yet they're all interconnected so far. I love it. Olivia kinda did get on my nerves how she was a people pleaser but that's how she is described in a way so it made perfect sense. I love Sister Stella. I can't wait for her book and the silent Simon. I'm ready for book 7 now! I highly recommend this series. It's sweet and the perfect reads when you need a book refresher with some positivity and full on happy vibes. I love being apart of Cali Melles Street Team!

[Erica Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think best friends brother is quickly becoming a trope I love.

Olivia transferred schools and her best friend is worried about her so reaches out to her brother, Sterling, to check in on her and make sure she’s adjusting ok. Problem is Sterling is such a grump and doesn’t want to be anywhere near her, until he sees her with another guy then his jealousy instincts kick in and he realizes he’s always wanted her.

Olivia has crushed on Sterling for just as long but she’s never thought she was in his league. He’s a hockey player and she’s a major introvert. Their opposites attract is perfect. They are fun and cute when they get together. It’s this forbidden feel but then feels so right too.

This series is great and every couple gives you something different but still gives you that same fun loving feeling. I’m so glad there’s more to come still.

[Nath✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gracias Cali Melle por el ARC
Tropes:
- grumpy/sunshine
- best friend's brother
- college hockey player
- childhood friends to lovers

Me costo calificar este libro... tenia momentos mega lindos y otros que me sacaban , asi que me decidi por un 3,5.
Como todo libro de Cali Melle , Splintered Ice es un poco insta-love a mi parecer y muy rapido de leer. Aunque este en particular se me hizo muy corto, y le faltaba mas desarrollo a sus personajes.
Tambien senti que Olivia y Sterling iban y venian a cada rato , sumandole que no se comunicaban , y la hacian larga para ser un libro tan corto , en caso de haber tenido mas paginas hubiera hecho un poco mas de sentido.

Quitando esto de lado , espero con muchas ansias el siguiente libro , me parece que es de Simon y Stella (Stella es hermana de Sterling y Simon su compañero de piso).

¨She’s like a ray of fucking sunshine and I would much rather see dark clouds lining the sky.¨
¨I don’t know if I’m capable of maintaining a friendship when I’m actually in love with him.¨
¨I would stand in subzero temperatures for this girl, until my body was overcome with hypothermia.¨
¨You’re the sun that shines from my skies, even on the darkest days. You’re the only thing I want as a constant in my life.¨
¨Our love is something that has been building for many years. And I’m ready to let it sweep us away.¨

[Camille (bookish.cami) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sterling is asked by his sister to look after her bestie since they attend the same school as much as he doesn’t want to Sterling does it and we’ll he tries so hard to fight his feelings but sometimes you just can’t
Olivia has always had a crush but has always known that it could possibly not go anywhere at all.

Yes!! I love me a good sister’s best friend trope and this one checked all the boxes hit all the right spots and kept me wanting more! I devoured this book in one sitting once I started I couldn’t put it down.
Sterling and Olivia are 😍😍

Sterling pushed my buttons sometimes cause he’s stubborn but he also swoon!

🙌🏼🙌🏼 love this book!!

[Rhianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Cali and her team for this ARC!
•
This short quick and fun book is book #6 in the Wycnote Wolves series and boy oh boy did I love Sterling 🤤
•
Cali did such a brilliant job at portraying the characters and there emotions and it was such an enjoyable read. We follow Sterling and Olivia, a best friends little sister trope and I just ate it up.
My man Sterling did not waste anytime, we love an alpha male who knows what he wants and takes it, while also being a sexy hockey player.
•
The chemistry between these two was *chef kiss* and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I sat down and read it in one sitting!
•
Thank you again to Cali and her team!

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sterling and Olivia will steal your heart, and you will not be let down.
Sterling is the team's grumpy leader, but he has a soft side that few people see. He's as obstinate as they come and only sometimes sees what's right in front of him.
Olivia is the ideal girl. His sister's best friend, the calm in his sister's chaos, and possibly the peace in his own inner chaos. She, like any of us, overthinks situations and sometimes has no idea what a certain hockey player hottie is thinking or feeling.
The energy in this book is definitely a slow-burning push and pull between Olivia and Sterling.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all I read this book in legit 4 hours. Nothing better than a siblings best friend romance! Add hockey and an alpha hot male. Oh it was so good. Sterling and Olivia are what I want. Plus the man knew what he wanted and didn’t play at all. I also can not wait for coast to coast because I am so excited that book.

[ap_reads14 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our love is something that has been building for many years.”

Sterling and Olivia are ready to get swept away 🥰
I loved this read, when soulmates are meant to be they’re meant to be. Their love is sunshine😊

5 my sunshine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loving this series and I can’t wait for Simon and Vaughan reads !!!! ♥️🥰♥️🥰

[Vee x · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this, waited 2 months for this book in the series to come out and demolished it in one sitting😂🫣 the only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because I wanted more!!

[arly · Rating 2 out of 5]

these are never good but always pull me out of a slump i’m laughing

[Anna Downing · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book helped me remember why I hated college romances. If I have to see “my little sister’s best friend” again I’m gonna fucking scream.