Arthur “Ace” Stetson is a living legend. Once destined for a record-breaking NHL career, a devastating injury put him behind the bench instead. Now the league’s youngest head coach, his only goal is to lead the Ottawa Otters to their first Stanley Cup. It’s going to take discipline, focus, and zero distractions—like the beautiful, chaotic new team physiotherapist.
Elliot Baker runs on caffeine and blind optimism. The single mom has three jobs, a mountain of debt, and absolutely no idea what day of the week it is. Her new job offers the stability she and her son, Sam, desperately need…if she can survive working with the gorgeous tyrant, Coach Stetson.
He needs a physiotherapist who will put up with him. She needs to keep her job.
He thrives on structure. She goes with the flow.
He demands results. She knows broken things need time to heal.
The more time they spend together, the more their attraction becomes impossible to ignore. And for two people who’ve been hurt before, falling for each other might be the riskiest play in the book.
(ARC Read)
There’s something about Ice Shy that just quietly settles into your heart and refuses to leave. K.M. Gillis delivered a story that feels incredibly real, deeply emotional, and grounded in the kind of love that grows slowly, patiently, and beautifully over time.
Arthur “Ace” Stetson and Elliot Baker may honestly be one of my favorite couples ever. Their relationship felt so relatable from the very beginning — the corny jokes, the awkward one-liners, the puns that had me smiling (and I could practically hear Coach Stetson rolling his eyes from here). Elliot’s chaotic, sunshine personality balanced Arthur’s structured, grumpy demeanor perfectly, and watching her slowly rub off on him was one of my favorite parts of the book.
“So, before today, you’ve never presented a bunch of penis cookies to a group of professional athletes and told them to ‘shoot for the stars.’ Is that what you’re telling me?”
What made their romance stand out to me was how realistic it felt, especially when it comes to finding love later in life. There’s more baggage. More responsibilities. More people involved. Elliot is a single mom juggling three jobs, debt, and exhaustion, while Arthur is carrying the weight of his past, chronic pain, and the pressure of coaching at the highest level. Neither of them has been in a relationship in a long time, and neither has experienced intimacy in a long time either. Their first time together was awkward, a little nervous, and completely honest, and I loved that. It didn’t feel overly polished or perfect. It felt real.
“I haven’t been a boy in over two decades.”
“You want to be my man friend?” I offer, half teasing, half sincere.
This story balances soft, tender moments with emotional tension beautifully. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic works naturally here, especially layered with the NHL coach and physiotherapist dynamic and Elliot’s single mom storyline. Their proximity never felt forced. It simply made sense for them to keep crossing paths, building trust, and slowly letting each other in.
Arthur’s character arc is truly what made this story shine for me. Watching him struggle with vulnerability while actively trying to be better than the father who hurt him was incredibly powerful. You could see how deeply his past shaped him, but instead of letting it define him, he worked toward becoming someone capable of loving fully and healthily. His growth felt earned, slow, and incredibly satisfying.
“You are also a good guy. Yes, you have flaws. We all do. We can grab a notebook and write them all down if you want. You’re stubborn. You’re a hard ass. You hold people to impossible standards. You don’t have favorites, which might be a warning sign for serial killers but I haven’t looked into it. You are all these things. And also a good guy. And you deserve to be happy too.”
One of the most meaningful parts of the story was watching Arthur show up for Elliot’s son, Sam. This wasn’t just about him falling in love with Elliot, it was about choosing both of them. Seeing him step into that role and become a steady, caring father figure, despite his own painful childhood, was beautiful. He didn’t let his past dictate the kind of man he could become, and that really stuck with me.
Elliot was equally wonderful. She pours so much of herself into everyone around her, loving deeply, caring fiercely, and always showing up for the people she loves. But what I admired most was her growth in learning that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. As a mom, I especially connected with how fiercely she loves Sam and how clear she makes it that he comes first. That part of her felt incredibly authentic and heartfelt.
And together? Arthur and Elliot complement each other perfectly. She brings warmth, chaos, and optimism. He brings steadiness, patience, and quiet strength. They fill in each other’s cracks in a way that feels natural, like yin and yang, each carrying the weight where the other struggles.
“I have been alone for a very long time. Most of my life, really…but I don’t feel alone when I’m with you. I feel the opposite of alone. I feel like I’m part of something. Something good. Something real.”
Another thing I loved about K.M. Gillis’ writing is how mature her characters are. Not just in age, but emotionally. They communicate. They don’t play games. They acknowledge their baggage and still choose each other anyway. It made their relationship feel grounded and believable.
Sam was also such a standout character. He felt like a real child, smart, funny, and thoughtful without ever feeling unrealistic. I loved that he played such an important role in Elliot and Arthur’s relationship instead of being pushed to the side.
Overall, Ice Shy is the kind of love story that stays with you. It’s not just about falling in love. It’s about healing, growth, and learning that you’re worthy of love even when you don’t believe it yourself. I laughed, I cried, and I found pieces of myself in both Arthur and Elliot.
K.M. Gillis created something truly special here. A story about embracing chaos, choosing love despite fear, and learning that it’s okay to be strong and still lean on someone else.
And honestly? I would happily spend another 300 pages in that little duplex… especially if there are rocket-shaped cookies involved.
Release Date: April 29th, 2026
Thank you to K.M. Gillis for the ARC read!