Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Home Ice

by Kate Sherwood (Goodreads Author)

3.62 of 5 stars 3.62 · rating details · 147 ratings · 24 reviews

When they were young men playing on the same hockey team, the heat between Jason and Mike had been almost enough to melt the ice they were skating on. But Mike went off to be a star in the NHL and Jason stayed behind to start his life as the dedicated, deeply closeted coach of the town’s junior hockey team.

Now Mike is back in town and Jason finds that their passion burns a...more

ebook

Published November 11th 2011 by Ellora's Cave

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Best Gay Athletes

82nd out of 156 books — 308 voters

Best Erotic Hockey Romance

34th out of 41 books — 95 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 323)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

May 25, 2012 Kassa rated it 2 of 5 stars

I’ve liked previous Kate Sherwood stories so I took a chance on this one even though it’s from a publisher I usually avoid. Sadly I should have known better and stayed away even though I like this author. Home Ice is a cliché on a cliché filled with super quick actions, repetitive elements, very little unique detail and ultimately wooden characters. I liked the hockey elements, which come across genuine and interesting. The coaching environment and the teens are fun and eye catching but there ar...more I’ve liked previous Kate Sherwood stories so I took a chance on this one even though it’s from a publisher I usually avoid. Sadly I should have known better and stayed away even though I like this author. Home Ice is a cliché on a cliché filled with super quick actions, repetitive elements, very little unique detail and ultimately wooden characters. I liked the hockey elements, which come across genuine and interesting. The coaching environment and the teens are fun and eye catching but there are too many distracting elements. The story can’t quite decide what it is and therefore throws a bunch of unrelated actions together to try to create some tension. It works but not successfully or in a good way.

The novella begins with Jason at the hockey rink coaching his players. Almost immediately talk turns to Mike, an ex-NHL player and Jason’s old flame. Predictably Mike has returned to their hometown and gets involved with the local hockey team. Jason and Mike rekindle their long ago romance pretty quickly and life settles into a happy routine. Yet when Jason tries to counsel an unhappy player, misunderstandings abound threatening Jason’s career and his relationship.

The plot of Home Ice is very predictable unfortunately. I had hoped the author would take a unique or fresh spin on the concept but instead the story stays well within previous lines. There is nothing that makes this particular offering stands out from the genre and it’s pretty much similar to any other sports related book, down to the pseudo tension. The writing is perfunctory but really stumbles on the amount of repetitive internal musing. The main character spends more time in his head than actually doing or saying anything; this includes lengthy internal monologues during sex scenes too. The brief shinning light in the story is the actual hockey detail. These scenes are interesting, well crafted, and keep my focus from beginning to end. It’s the relationship scenes and external drama that loses me.

The main couple supposedly had a brief but unremarkable fling fifteen years ago. There is no real explanation of that relationship but a few brief references to frantic groping and the like. So why these two fall immediately into a serious relationship is a stretch. There is no real basis for their feelings (going from nothing to in love) since the novella offers no explanation or visual about their life together. We’re told that they immediately have sex and just as soon start a comfortable and predictable relationship. These details are recited quickly and then never mentioned again. It’s hard to invest in characters and their relationship when it’s not shown to the reader. I didn’t feel any kind of real feelings of deep love or sexual attraction between Jason and Mike. Instead they feel like two almost random men that are thrown together because they’re both gay and into hockey.

Likewise the main tension in the story comes from a very predictable source and one that continues to be flogged in books over and over. I don’t want to give any spoils but it’s not a real stretch to figure out what happens. However that being said the story could have given the issue some real weight and tension. It tries but the scenes are too weak and easily picked apart to have the impact it’s trying for. Not to mention the resolution is gimmicky and silly. It takes away all of the seriousness the story has achieved and makes it too pat and convenient, down to Jason’s totally ridiculous argument against himself.

I wanted to like this as I was in the mood for a light, contemporary romance but instead this is almost too light considering where the story tried to go. The wooden characters don’t help and Mike is almost non-existent except as a plot point. His past, his marriage, his child, his own struggle with his sexuality the story hints at, are all ignored. Mike exists only to have sex with Jason and that’s not much of an in depth main character. In the end I just didn’t care about either man or their relationship unfortunately. This isn’t a book I enjoyed reading though I did like the hockey details. I’ll think twice before I pick up another Kate Sherwood book.
(less)

like · see review

Feb 28, 2012 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic, contemporary, anal-play-sex, m-m

Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...

Jason's old flame returns and their chemistry is still hot enough to melt an ice rink. Jason and Mike had a brief fling as teenagers and then went on to separate lives. Mike got married, had a special needs child, and played in the NHL before retiring. Jason got injured and went onto coaching. Now they’re both back in their hometown, single, and realize their chemistry is as strong as it ever was.

Home Ice is a contemporary sports stor...more Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...

Jason's old flame returns and their chemistry is still hot enough to melt an ice rink. Jason and Mike had a brief fling as teenagers and then went on to separate lives. Mike got married, had a special needs child, and played in the NHL before retiring. Jason got injured and went onto coaching. Now they’re both back in their hometown, single, and realize their chemistry is as strong as it ever was.

Home Ice is a contemporary sports story staring two athletes. It’s a pretty common take on hockey, based in Canada, and doesn’t deviate from the expected. Jason and Mike reconnect and get hot and heavy almost immediately. Their relationship is never a fling this time around and both men are serious from the start. They fit together well and enjoy lots of sex so the story doesn’t dwell too much on their actions or describing how the relationship comes to be, it simply is love from the first hand job.

That’s not bad if you don’t mind an instant relationship. Adding a minimal amount of tension to the story are some homophobic crazy hockey parents. I say minimal because the issue is brought up and handled within a few pages. Instead the real strength of the story is on the actual sport itself and the teenagers. The scenes of practice and between the teens themselves are a bit idealized but they’re nicely handled and fun to read.

Home Ice is a bit of a mixed bag. It has some great moments of fun and humor within the sports details even if the actual romance falls short of truly satisfying. For my taste, it happens too quickly and there’s no background or existing emotion to make their instant love more plausible. The story, told from Jason's POV, moves at a comfortable pace and the instances where Mike and Jason get together are very nicely choreographed.

If you're a fan of sports themed romance you should give Home Ice a try. There's a whole bunch of "Head, head, heart" packed into this little book. (less)

like · see review

Jan 24, 2012 Romancing the Book rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, erotica

Reviewed By~Marissa
Review Copy Provided by~Publisher

I picked this book because I love hockey, I love m/m romance stories, and I had never read Kate Sherwood before. More’s the pity. Sherwood has proven superb in bringing out the edginess of male/male love in a he-man world of sports and the narrow-mindedness some people possess.

The story is told from Jason’s viewpoint and I would have liked to hear from Mike as well. However, this story is mainly Jason’s – from the risk of exposure to the empa...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 18, 2012 Stacey Jo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-sports, mm-i-ve-read, mm-i-own, mm-coming-out

This is a novella that can pretty much be read in one sitting if you have a little bit of time. I really enjoyed the story. I've seen other reviews where people have complained about the lack of back story or character development but I don't have an issue with that. This is a novella, and because of that, we shouldn't expect a lot of back story and development... that would make it a novel. We get just enough to know what we need, and that is that Mike and Jason were on the same hockey team as...more

like · see review

Nov 12, 2011 Ami rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-contemporary, mm-romance-or-erotica

3.5 stars

This is between 3.5 and 4 stars, but I settle up with 3.5 stars because a couple of issues. To be perfectly honest, the theme of being in the closet in a sport world then being accused of doing something 'nasty' with one of the players, even how the problem is solved, is not something new. I guess that is one issue. I know that it's a novella, so it cannot be dragged on too long. But I guess I'm also a bit miffed with how Jason handles the problem at first (view spoiler)...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 26, 2013 A rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-my-kindle

4.25 Stars.
Review Originally Published Here: http://joyfullyjay.com/2013/02/review...

Who doesn’t like a man who can play hockey? In this case, you’re getting two men, who are talented both on and off the ice. Mike and Jason have a history. Mike just retired from the National Hockey League and has returned to his home town. Jason returned many years ago due to an injury on the ice that prohibited him from continuing a hockey career. Instead, he’s coaching the town’s junior hockey team. When Mike...more 4.25 Stars.
Review Originally Published Here: http://joyfullyjay.com/2013/02/review...

Who doesn’t like a man who can play hockey? In this case, you’re getting two men, who are talented both on and off the ice. Mike and Jason have a history. Mike just retired from the National Hockey League and has returned to his home town. Jason returned many years ago due to an injury on the ice that prohibited him from continuing a hockey career. Instead, he’s coaching the town’s junior hockey team. When Mike returns, memories come flooding back of the relationship they had 15 years ago — a relationship that came to an abrupt end as Mike married and continued his NHL career
.
The feelings they once had are still there, and Mike and Jason soon attempt to rekindle that passion. In the meantime, Jason is told some news by one of his players in confidence that leads to some trouble for him. He’s always been in the closet and doesn’t see how his circumstances can change, especially in light of the accusations that are being brought against him. Mike and Jason need to decide if they can weather the storm or if they’re better off apart.

Once again, the sexiness of the sport of hockey only adds to the chemistry that exists between Mike and Jason. They’re two rough, tough as nails guys who only show their vulnerability when it comes to the other person. Jason in particular is a commanding presence. He is training his team to be champions and when he speaks, people listen. It’s all the more sweet when he opens himself up to Mike and is rewarded with his love and tenderness in return. Their relationship is tentative and scary for both of them, but is worth the ups and downs. They can’t stay away from each other, and the explosive sex scenes are able to show this intense level of attraction. It you need a hot read, look no further.

A novella can be tricky. My complaint with this story is that there wasn’t enough, and I don’t think it’s the mere length of the novel that is it’s weakness. From the beginning, we are to accept a past between Mike and Jason that isn’t really thoroughly explained. It’s a lot of history that both of them bring to the relationship, yet it’s easily swept under the rug once the lust returns.

The main conflict of this story is also not developed enough. It is hastily introduced and quickly dismissed, and seems only to exist in order to get Jason to come out of the closet. It didn’t seem entirely realistic, and while the support that Jason receives from the team and the community is sweet, it doesn’t match with the supposed discrimination that exists within the sport that is keeping him in the closet to begin with. The “I’ve been in the closet for 15 years but what the hay! Let’s let it all out of the bag right now!” mentality seemed a convenient way to wrap up the story.

All in all, I really enjoyed this story. It’s short and sexy and a perfect read for when you’re in the mood for some big tough men with soft hearts. Kate Sherwood has long been a favorite author of mine, and this story did not disappoint.(less)

like · see review

Nov 02, 2011 Kate Sherwood added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: mine

I wrote this for Ellora's Cave's OH, CANADA series. At first, it seemed like a total cliche - Canada, and hockey. But I thought the m/m aspect put enough of a spin on things to make it interesting, and, you know, cliche or not, hockey IS a big part of Canadian culture.

I'm really pleased with the story. I've noticed that I see my books as movies, most of the time, when I'm writing. I imagine the scene, right down to camera angles, and then I write what I see. And I LOVE a lot of the scenes from...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 10, 2012 Shana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-contemporary, fiction-sports, fiction-glbt

Jason and Mike had a thing when they were kids, but life separated them before it could become more. Now Mike is back in town after a successful NHL career, ready to take on a position with the team Jason is coaching. Hooking up again isn't in the plans for either of them, but will they be able to ignore the feelings that have lingered all those years?

Jason is a charming character. He is deep in the closet, but it's quite understandable given his living/working circumstances, and he's certainly...more Jason and Mike had a thing when they were kids, but life separated them before it could become more. Now Mike is back in town after a successful NHL career, ready to take on a position with the team Jason is coaching. Hooking up again isn't in the plans for either of them, but will they be able to ignore the feelings that have lingered all those years?

Jason is a charming character. He is deep in the closet, but it's quite understandable given his living/working circumstances, and he's certainly assertive and forthright enough in other ways to more than make up for his lack of interest in outing himself. I particularly enjoyed his exchanges with and takes on his players; I was sold on him being a good coach.

Mike is just as much fun, adorable in his insecurities. (I loved him buying too much Chinese. Seriously, the entire exchange where he reveals the history of that made me smile.) He does seem to be a little bit of a pushover, at least when it comes to Jason, but that doesn't make him any less appealing.

As a couple, Jason and Mike work well. They're comfortable with each other in a way that makes their relationship believable, without being over the top, and their history allows much of the relationship to be almost pre-built, so that when they fall all over each other, it's not completely out of the blue. The sex is great, too, being just enough without being overwhelming.

The supporting cast is good, also. Jason's players in particular were well-developed, given the limited number of pages in which said development could happen. They were perhaps a bit pat in their reaction to certain revelations, but not so much as to require great suspension of disbelief.

The story itself was fairly predictable once the groundwork was laid, but that isn't a detriment. The conflict and reactions were realistic, enough to make me grind my teeth and root for the best resolution. There were few editing errors, too, which is always a bonus.

This was rather a departure from the other books I'm familiar with by the author, but I'm glad for it. There is nothing wrong with deviating from the norm, especially when it comes out this well.(less)

like · see review

Dec 10, 2011 Guilty Pleasures rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: guiltypleasures-rhayne, publishersent

HOT M/M and they are Hockey players!!!

The chemistry and emotion that you can feel between Mike and Jason is real and believable.

Jason and Mike played hockey together while growing up. They had an experimental relationship with each other, and then split ways. Mike left town to play in the NHL. Jason’s career was sidelined due to a knee injury. He stays in his home town to coach OHL. After Mike retires from professional hockey he comes back home. The sparks that were flying between these two whe...more

like · see review

Jan 29, 2012 Heather rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: lgbt-romance

I thought the premise was great, but that it was too short to really develop a lot of the relationship and issues, in particular Mike's relationship with his daughter. I mean, he moved there to be there for her, and then we never "see" her. And what about his relationship with his ex-wife? That could have added some depth to the story. Another was their relationship. We missed out on too much interaction before they professed their love. It felt like the ending, and then the epilogue, were too a...more

like · see review

Jan 09, 2012 Lindsay rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, romance, contemporary, ebook, canada, hockey, ice-hockey

This book had its moments but was disappointing overall. Other reviewers have touched on the issues I had (and I'm planning to elaborate in a more considered review) but I didn't get invested in the central relationship at all. Too much tell and not enough show (seriously, I had little sense of Mike as a character, let alone why he and Jason made such a great couple) added up to an unsatisfying read.

Link to full review at Some Old Story.

like · see review

Jan 31, 2012 Cheryl rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-challenges, 2012-read

Hockey themed story about an Ontario Hockey League team. Jason and Mike grew up on the ice together. After high school Jason decided to go to college. Mike went into the NHL and became a star. All these years later Jason is coaching hockey. Mike had just retired and moved back to town. Both men were still in the closet.

The story seemed rushed to me. I liked the fact that the team was supportive of the Jason and their team mate Conner. Conner's dad was a prick.

like · see review

Jan 11, 2012 Mariana rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

May 17, 2012 BITEthisBABY rated it 2 of 5 stars

Im allways a fan of book set in Canada. I am just reviewing this book having read it months a go and can no recall if i actually finished it or not. However there as nothing remarkablely good, or dad about the book. It was a soild ok.

like · see review

Mar 31, 2012 Di rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemp, gay-romance, sports

A little too short to deal with all the issues. I like Kate Sherwood, but this is not one of my favorites. Not bad, but she has others I like better. Pretty good for m/m from Ellora's Cave, which I tend to not like.

like · see review

Nov 27, 2011 Chelaeur rated it 5 of 5 stars

Short, sweet, intense. I liked the edge Ms. Sherwood took on with the whole he said, he said. i enjoyed the play between Mike and Jason. They made this story happen. what a way to make up for 15 years.

like · see review

Sep 04, 2012 Rhayne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic-m-m, reviewed-for-guilty-pleasures

5 STARS

This story is fast paced and so much happens in such a short time, but it’s written so well that it flows from one scenario to another perfectly. I found myself desperately hoping for these two people to finally get together. While this book contains some smoking hot sex scenes, which I love, she really focuses on feelings which she simply excels in.

It is an emotional journey for them to figure out that the feelings they have for each other are worth fighting for. And it’s an amazing enj...more

like · see review

Nov 14, 2011 Meggie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: sport

The plot was fine but to simple, I didn't like it. The story didn't make an impression on me. And if we talk about the attraction, between Mike and Jason, there was non.

like · see review

Jan 01, 2012 Snowtulip rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: gb-to-read, m-m, sports

So sad, I love most of Kate's writing, but this story didn't do it for me. The plot wasn't intriguing or different, there wasn't really much character development and I was left apathetic to the characters because of it. I just felt bleh after reading the book. Just me.

1 like · like · see review

Dec 16, 2011 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-read

I really look forward to books involving sports and I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was a quick, good read.

like · see review

Dec 22, 2012 Tina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

There is a lot going on in a small amount of panes and its well done. I really enjoyed.

like · see review

Dec 23, 2011 Buda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hockey & M/M romance. What's not to love?

like · see review

Dec 25, 2011 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, gay, ebook, romance, done

Very good m/m romance about a closeted hockey coach trying to deal with working with his ex after not seeing him for ten years.

like · see review

May 31, 2012 jules0623 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: celebrity, child-abuse-or-implied-or-past, coming-out, break-up-and-make-up, friends-to-lovers, homophobia, in-the-closet, relationship-m-m, misunderstandings-abound, sports-stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

May 23, 2013 Kelly marked it as to-read

May 15, 2013 Kathryn marked it as to-read

May 12, 2013 Chloe marked it as to-read

May 05, 2013 Alison marked it as to-read

May 04, 2013 Stacey marked it as to-read

May 02, 2013 Becky marked it as to-read

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 next »

Sports And Games > Sports

13 users

Contemporary

12 users

Romance

3 users

Romance > Contemporary Romance

3 users

Sports > Hockey

3 users

Adult Fiction > Erotica

2 users

Glbt > Gay

2 users

M M Romance > M M Contemporary

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Kate Sherwood

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Home Ice

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Home Ice
avg rating	preview: Home Ice Goodreads rating: 3.62 (147 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12989137-home-ice?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320119064l/12989137.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12989137-home-ice?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Home Ice by Kate Sherwood[/url]

Home Ice

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (1)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Kate Sherwood

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Home Ice

Home Ice

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (1)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Kate Sherwood

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Home Ice

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (1)