Hearts of Ice

A Miami Sports Romance

By: Sheila Fowler

Narrated by: Kami Havens

Nina Frost, a graceful figure skater at the pinnacle of her career, faces an unexpected spiral: a failed drug test that jeopardizes her lifetime of dedication and dreams. As she grapples with the harsh glare of public scrutiny and shadows of doubt, Nina’s plight is more than just clearing her name—it’s a fight to preserve her very identity.

Dmitri Volkov, a renowned Russian hockey player, skates a fine line between the adoration of fans and the weight of personal expectations. In a world where vulnerability is often seen as a weakness, Dmitri has mastered the art of keeping his emotions off the ice. But when he crosses paths with Nina, his resolve begins to melt under the warmth of an unexpected connection.

In the frostbitten corridors of Amerant Arena (home of the Florida Panthers), an unlikely romance blossoms between Nina and Dmitri. Together, they embark on a quest to unravel the mystery behind Nina’s accusation, navigating a path fraught with professional rivalry, media frenzy, and the complexities of their own hearts.

Will their budding romance withstand the pressures of their high-stakes worlds, or will the truth they seek be the ice that breaks them?

©2025 Sheila Fowler (P)2025 Sheila Fowler

This was different

The narration on this book was wonderful. It’s what kept me engaged. The story left a lot to be desired.

Sabotage and Drama

Dmitri Volkov is plenty likable, especially when you throw in his pup, Sable, and obvious pride in and affection for his sister, Maria. He's a good guy who, I think, can to better than Nina (zaychik) Frost.

Nina is a hot mess and not in a fun way. For much of the book, I put her firmly in the 'meh' category. She's all over the board - hurling accusations one minute, groveling the next. 🚩

Don't get me wrong, she has reason to be upset and a little suspicious given the things going on, but she completely flies off the handle a time or two, and it rubs me the wrong way. I hate over dramatized responses, and that's how they feel.

Truly, Dmitri and Sable carry the book most of the way. His kindness and desire to help someone he feels an attraction to (even though I didn't feel that level of chemistry between them) is commendable.

The last few chapters were better all around, so there is that silver lining.

I read along with the audio book. The narrator, Kami Havens, is pretty good. Her Russian accent is decent, but I do wish she had a male counterpart. It's only my two cents as I get that isn't always possible. Her portrayal of Nina is better.

Story: 3 stars
Narration: 3.5 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x