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Home Ice
Not yet published
Expected 25 Jun 26TAI
Ten years ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life.
When Hawke left for the NHL and my hockey dreams went up in smoke, I ghosted my best and longest friend. It made sense at the time, but there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t missed him.
So when we run into each other again, and his only response is “Do I know you?”, I know I deserve it. But I refuse to let one mistake keep us apart forever. Especially when he has bigger problems, and I’m in a position to help him.
JENSEN
All I wanted this offseason was to spend my time relaxing–not getting an emergency phone call from Mom to come home. My hometown is full of too many memories of me and Tai so I avoid returning there as much as I can.
But now I have one more memory to add to the list: my high school girlfriend.
And the kid we apparently had together.
Kasen hates me and thinks I abandoned them, and my only way to get to him is through his coach. My ex-best friend. The friend that has been impossible to forget. No matter how much I’ve tried.
Ten years ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life.
When Hawke left for the NHL and my hockey dreams went up in smoke, I ghosted my best and longest friend. It made sense at the time, but there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t missed him.
So when we run into each other again, and his only response is “Do I know you?”, I know I deserve it. But I refuse to let one mistake keep us apart forever. Especially when he has bigger problems, and I’m in a position to help him.
JENSEN
All I wanted this offseason was to spend my time relaxing–not getting an emergency phone call from Mom to come home. My hometown is full of too many memories of me and Tai so I avoid returning there as much as I can.
But now I have one more memory to add to the list: my high school girlfriend.
And the kid we apparently had together.
Kasen hates me and thinks I abandoned them, and my only way to get to him is through his coach. My ex-best friend. The friend that has been impossible to forget. No matter how much I’ve tried.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 6, 2026
I’ve been excited for this book since I realized Hawke from Charming Puckboy was the same Hawke this was about! I didn’t read the blurb, just saw character names and that it was a hockey romance and honestly that was the best way to go into this. The shock I had when his mom called and he had to head home?! Unmatched. Hand over my mouth, had to set my phone down and just take a moment because what do you mean?! I loved seeing Hawke and Tai reconnect and seeing Hawke slowly but surely melt Kasens walls down and those two bond?! It was everything. This story was so wholesome while also having the spice, I loved it!! AND my baby Ezra was mentioned?! No notes, I loved everything about this story.
June 20, 2026
5 ⭐️ ARC Review to come
June 8, 2026
This was so good 😭🥹
June 18, 2026
This one was so so sweet. A lovely read for pride month!
I loved witnessing Tai and Hawke explore their friendship and watch as they confessed old feelings. Kasen’s journey in particular was a highlight for me, watching him come around and to terms with all the recent changes in his life felt realistic, tender and well done. His relationship grew at a natural pace with Hawke and the moments between them, alongside how Tai fit in made this a really enjoyable and tender read.
I will literally never not read a Saxon James book. PLEASE pick up a book by Saxon if you haven’t already.
Tropes:
Friends to strangers to lovers
Surprise Kid (he’s in his teens)
NHL player on summer break
Grief rep
MM Romance
I loved witnessing Tai and Hawke explore their friendship and watch as they confessed old feelings. Kasen’s journey in particular was a highlight for me, watching him come around and to terms with all the recent changes in his life felt realistic, tender and well done. His relationship grew at a natural pace with Hawke and the moments between them, alongside how Tai fit in made this a really enjoyable and tender read.
I will literally never not read a Saxon James book. PLEASE pick up a book by Saxon if you haven’t already.
Tropes:
Friends to strangers to lovers
Surprise Kid (he’s in his teens)
NHL player on summer break
Grief rep
MM Romance
June 18, 2026
So good! Loved this, as usual I love everything by Saxon James. Usually friends to lovers is not my thing, but this had so many nuances I thoroughly enjoyed
June 19, 2026
Oh my goddddds, I cannot gush about this one enough. It’ll be really hard to keep this one spoiler-free because there are so many things I want to mention or directly reference. I’ll keep it to non-major-plot-point things, because this IS an ARC and I don’t want to ruin the reading experience for others before its even published, but if you’re anti-any-spoilers-at-all, please close out now 😘 and know that the TLDR is: the book is amazing, I love Saxon James and her beautiful brain, Jensen Hawke & Tai Barrett 5Ever, and “Teenagers” by MCR is 100% factually & literally, Kasen. 10/10 recommend, read it.
The actual review is:
I knew going into this that I would love it. There hasn’t been a Saxon James book that I haven’t at least enjoyed, if not was borderline obsessed with, and I knew that I already had a soft spot for Jensen Hawke. What I wasn’t expecting was the level of feels!! I was in my besties inbox sending her whiny voice messages about how gut wrenching the angst was in the beginning, and then again later at how they dance around each other, pining but not really saying whats on their minds for fear of losing everything and how I just wanted them to admit it and be happy together because they clearly had been in love a LONG ass time. And UGH it was SO. GOOD.
The depth of emotion that Saxon James was able to evoke right off the bat was incredible, quite frankly. We were barely in 50 pages and she was hitting us hard and heavy with revelations, betrayals, and what honestly felt like a third act breakup between the main characters for a relationship that never technically existed. We were barely just getting to know them and yet Saxon James had my heart breaking for them. I’m going to include my favorite quote from that section just to illustrate my point here, and because it legitimately made me tear up.
Like?!? 😩😭 Rip my heart out, why don’t you? And so early in the book?! Just, really really good writing. I wanted them to overcome their hurts and be together the way that they were longing to be. And at this point it was all friendship! They were this broken up over their friendship!! *I* was this broken up about their friendship, lmao.
I haven’t been so emotionally invested in two characters getting their HEA, not only with each other but with the important people in their lives too, in SO long. And that’s something that sets this book apart from so many other romances that I’ve read recently. Home Ice isn’t just about their love story and their HEA, it’s not just about two people that have danced around each other their entire lives, it's about the ways that their lives intertwine and the people that they love and how they fit into their longterm happiness. It’s not *just* Tai & Jensen (I’m leaving this part vague intentionally). There are two equally important subthreads involving the MCs’ loved ones that I was just as invested in. Saxon James has always been really good about making you care about minor characters because of how well fleshed out they are, and I feel like this one was exceptionally good at that.
The other thing that I really wanted to sing my praises about was maybe a minor, overlook-able detail to some, but to a fellow writer was really exciting and applaudable. Without totally spoiling it, there are two things that are mentioned in the beginning of the book that seem like filler/throwaway details that come back up at the end of the book, when things are coming together and the HEA draws near. And I fucking love when authors do those full circle moments, ESPECIALLY when it’s something so uniquely those characters that when you read it, you’re filled with this deep satisfaction. And in this story, those two little moments/details are a little silly and “ugh, horny boys *eyeroll* lol” but they’re also incredibly sweet and tender and nostalgic and just so perfectly Tai & Jensen that I was kicking my feet reading it. (And of course, I won’t complain that the full circle moment lead to a really emotionally charged smutty scene where their feelings finally fall into place and settle 🤭)
I could go on and on about the intimacy and how hot the steamy scenes were (especially Tai taking instructions and Jensen’s dedication to Tai’s pleasure, and the scandalous photos, and the playful way they liked to surprise or get the better of each other), but I think this review is already really long, and I feel like if you’re picking up Home Ice you’re probably familiar with and enjoy these aspects of her writing already. So I’m going to wrap it up here and say that I really loved this book, it’s easily taken a place in the top 5 Sadenverse books, maybe even the top 3. I highly recommend it for all the sports romance babes but also for anyone that enjoys a good heart-strings-tugging, sweet read.
Thank you so much to Saxon James for the advanced copy! It was an honor 🥰
The actual review is:
I knew going into this that I would love it. There hasn’t been a Saxon James book that I haven’t at least enjoyed, if not was borderline obsessed with, and I knew that I already had a soft spot for Jensen Hawke. What I wasn’t expecting was the level of feels!! I was in my besties inbox sending her whiny voice messages about how gut wrenching the angst was in the beginning, and then again later at how they dance around each other, pining but not really saying whats on their minds for fear of losing everything and how I just wanted them to admit it and be happy together because they clearly had been in love a LONG ass time. And UGH it was SO. GOOD.
The depth of emotion that Saxon James was able to evoke right off the bat was incredible, quite frankly. We were barely in 50 pages and she was hitting us hard and heavy with revelations, betrayals, and what honestly felt like a third act breakup between the main characters for a relationship that never technically existed. We were barely just getting to know them and yet Saxon James had my heart breaking for them. I’m going to include my favorite quote from that section just to illustrate my point here, and because it legitimately made me tear up.
“You said he’s like me. When I was hurting, all I wanted to do was play.” He finally meets my eyes, and even bloodshot, those hazel eyes are exactly how I remember them. Sitting side by side on the hood of my shitty old car, down by the lake, nothing but the stars keeping us company as we talked about the future.💔
“I stopped playing after you left,” I confess.
“I was the opposite.” His expression tightens, and he finally pushes away from the wall. “I never played harder in my life.”
Like?!? 😩😭 Rip my heart out, why don’t you? And so early in the book?! Just, really really good writing. I wanted them to overcome their hurts and be together the way that they were longing to be. And at this point it was all friendship! They were this broken up over their friendship!! *I* was this broken up about their friendship, lmao.
I haven’t been so emotionally invested in two characters getting their HEA, not only with each other but with the important people in their lives too, in SO long. And that’s something that sets this book apart from so many other romances that I’ve read recently. Home Ice isn’t just about their love story and their HEA, it’s not just about two people that have danced around each other their entire lives, it's about the ways that their lives intertwine and the people that they love and how they fit into their longterm happiness. It’s not *just* Tai & Jensen (I’m leaving this part vague intentionally). There are two equally important subthreads involving the MCs’ loved ones that I was just as invested in. Saxon James has always been really good about making you care about minor characters because of how well fleshed out they are, and I feel like this one was exceptionally good at that.
The other thing that I really wanted to sing my praises about was maybe a minor, overlook-able detail to some, but to a fellow writer was really exciting and applaudable. Without totally spoiling it, there are two things that are mentioned in the beginning of the book that seem like filler/throwaway details that come back up at the end of the book, when things are coming together and the HEA draws near. And I fucking love when authors do those full circle moments, ESPECIALLY when it’s something so uniquely those characters that when you read it, you’re filled with this deep satisfaction. And in this story, those two little moments/details are a little silly and “ugh, horny boys *eyeroll* lol” but they’re also incredibly sweet and tender and nostalgic and just so perfectly Tai & Jensen that I was kicking my feet reading it. (And of course, I won’t complain that the full circle moment lead to a really emotionally charged smutty scene where their feelings finally fall into place and settle 🤭)
I could go on and on about the intimacy and how hot the steamy scenes were (especially Tai taking instructions and Jensen’s dedication to Tai’s pleasure, and the scandalous photos, and the playful way they liked to surprise or get the better of each other), but I think this review is already really long, and I feel like if you’re picking up Home Ice you’re probably familiar with and enjoy these aspects of her writing already. So I’m going to wrap it up here and say that I really loved this book, it’s easily taken a place in the top 5 Sadenverse books, maybe even the top 3. I highly recommend it for all the sports romance babes but also for anyone that enjoys a good heart-strings-tugging, sweet read.
Thank you so much to Saxon James for the advanced copy! It was an honor 🥰
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh look, another book by Saxon that I absolutely loved!
Tai & Hawke are ex best friends, after
Tai ghosts Hawke after his dad had a big health scare right when they were about to be drafted. They reconnect 10 years later when Hawke comes back into town after learning he has a 14 year old son (surprise!). Things are a lil tense at first obviously, but I feel like it didn’t take long at all for them to pick things back up right where they left off. Their friendship & relationship just felt so genuine & they were so comfortable around each other it was almost like the time apart didn’t even happen 😭
I loved both Tai & Hawke’s flirty confidence and their banter with each other, and they for sure had me laughing throughout the book. Tai was so emotionally repressed, and I loved that Hawke was stubborn about getting him help and pushing him to start therapy after all these years taking care of his dad & struggling on his own. I think that having Hawke back in his life really turned his whole outlook on life around. Tai was great for Hawke too, helping to build the bridge between him & Kasen when he first got back in town. Hawke was so stubborn & willing to do whatever it took to be part of Kasen’s life. I loved his determination to know him after missing out on 14 years (unknowingly). He never stopped knocking Kasen’s walls down & trying with him & it was really touching to see.
Kasen was so sassy, I just loved him! I wouldn’t mind him getting a book in the future (wink wink).
Some things to expect:
💜single dad (surprise secret kid)
🏒best friends to strangers to lovers
💜small town
🏒NHL star x youth hockey coach
💜it’s always been you
My fav parts:
“I’m on your team….There’ll never be a day where I’m not.”
“You boys were made for each other.” That sentence hits harder than it should. There’s something about being with Hawke that feels different than being with anyone else. Even today, through the awkward waves of the past, I could breathe. Relax. Be more honest than I’m used to being anymore.
When it comes to Hawke, it’s not even an active choice, because he’s barely stepped foot back in town, and I’m already falling back into that place where nothing else exists outside of us. I don’t even try to save myself. Not when it feels this fucking amazing.
“There are houses in every city.” He cups my face. “But there’s only one you. Fuck the house. Fuck St. Louis. Fuck everything that will keep us apart. Ten years couldn’t stop us, Tai. So nothing will.” Just hearing those words is like everything I’ve ever needed being handed to me. Hawke wants me. The relief that floods my body is so heavy I sag forward, head on his shoulder, and let him hold me up like he’s been doing ever since he got back. I’m getting better about doing it for myself, but part of that is accepting help when I need it. And I’ll always need it from him.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author via Foreward PR & this is my honest review!
Tai & Hawke are ex best friends, after
Tai ghosts Hawke after his dad had a big health scare right when they were about to be drafted. They reconnect 10 years later when Hawke comes back into town after learning he has a 14 year old son (surprise!). Things are a lil tense at first obviously, but I feel like it didn’t take long at all for them to pick things back up right where they left off. Their friendship & relationship just felt so genuine & they were so comfortable around each other it was almost like the time apart didn’t even happen 😭
I loved both Tai & Hawke’s flirty confidence and their banter with each other, and they for sure had me laughing throughout the book. Tai was so emotionally repressed, and I loved that Hawke was stubborn about getting him help and pushing him to start therapy after all these years taking care of his dad & struggling on his own. I think that having Hawke back in his life really turned his whole outlook on life around. Tai was great for Hawke too, helping to build the bridge between him & Kasen when he first got back in town. Hawke was so stubborn & willing to do whatever it took to be part of Kasen’s life. I loved his determination to know him after missing out on 14 years (unknowingly). He never stopped knocking Kasen’s walls down & trying with him & it was really touching to see.
Kasen was so sassy, I just loved him! I wouldn’t mind him getting a book in the future (wink wink).
Some things to expect:
💜single dad (surprise secret kid)
🏒best friends to strangers to lovers
💜small town
🏒NHL star x youth hockey coach
💜it’s always been you
My fav parts:
“I’m on your team….There’ll never be a day where I’m not.”
“You boys were made for each other.” That sentence hits harder than it should. There’s something about being with Hawke that feels different than being with anyone else. Even today, through the awkward waves of the past, I could breathe. Relax. Be more honest than I’m used to being anymore.
When it comes to Hawke, it’s not even an active choice, because he’s barely stepped foot back in town, and I’m already falling back into that place where nothing else exists outside of us. I don’t even try to save myself. Not when it feels this fucking amazing.
“There are houses in every city.” He cups my face. “But there’s only one you. Fuck the house. Fuck St. Louis. Fuck everything that will keep us apart. Ten years couldn’t stop us, Tai. So nothing will.” Just hearing those words is like everything I’ve ever needed being handed to me. Hawke wants me. The relief that floods my body is so heavy I sag forward, head on his shoulder, and let him hold me up like he’s been doing ever since he got back. I’m getting better about doing it for myself, but part of that is accepting help when I need it. And I’ll always need it from him.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author via Foreward PR & this is my honest review!
June 7, 2026
I feel like I say this every time Saxon releases a new book, but: this might be my favourite one yet!!! ❤️
It’s a standalone, but ties in with other books in the Sadenverse, as one of the main characters is Hawke, the teammate Lachie Kikishkin from Charming Puckboy is living with in St. Louis, and a few other characters are mentioned. As a fan of the entire universe, I absolutely love the mentions and allusions to other characters, but knowledge of them is absolutely not necessary to enjoy this book, if you’re new to Saxon’s books.
Jensen Hawke gets some shocking news at the start of this story, which brings him back to Vermont for the summer. There, he comes face to face with his childhood best friend, Tai Barrett, who ghosted him after college, when they were both supposed to join the NHL, Tai never showed. On top of the heartache of the bear friend he lost, Hawke also has to face another person: the teenage son he never knew he had.
I was absolutely hooked from the start, and devoured half of the book in one sitting. Probably would’ve read it in a day, if I hadn’t already read the second half of another book before starting this one! There is a lot of pain going around at the start of this book, as Hawke and Tai have to navigate their broken friendship, and Hawke tries to connect with his son who just lost his mother, and trying to figure out custody issues, as well as Tai and his home life with his dad, medical issues, and finances. It made me really emotionally invested straight away, and I think that’s why it was so hard to put this book down.
I absolutely adored reading about Hawke spending the summer trying to figure out how to be a dad, alongside getting reacquainted with his former best friends and discovering that there was always something more there. As Kasen started to open up more, he became the most hilarious character, and I absolutely love it when kids and teens who are central to a story crack me up the way he did!
The epilogue brought happy tears to my eyes—I’m not a parent, but I could feel how proud Hawke was of his son, and I felt very emotional reading about how Hawke, Tai and Kasen’s futures were panning out!!
All in all, an excellent summer read, with lots of big feelings, mostly happy but also a few not, so very true to life. Off-screen death and medical conditions, the aftermath of which the characters have to deal with on-page, mentions of mental health issues, some very excellent spicy scenes, emotional moments, hilarious moments, sad moments… this book had it all. Saxon James really knows how to write books exactly how I like them, and it was such a privilege to get to read this book prior to its release!
I received an ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.
It’s a standalone, but ties in with other books in the Sadenverse, as one of the main characters is Hawke, the teammate Lachie Kikishkin from Charming Puckboy is living with in St. Louis, and a few other characters are mentioned. As a fan of the entire universe, I absolutely love the mentions and allusions to other characters, but knowledge of them is absolutely not necessary to enjoy this book, if you’re new to Saxon’s books.
Jensen Hawke gets some shocking news at the start of this story, which brings him back to Vermont for the summer. There, he comes face to face with his childhood best friend, Tai Barrett, who ghosted him after college, when they were both supposed to join the NHL, Tai never showed. On top of the heartache of the bear friend he lost, Hawke also has to face another person: the teenage son he never knew he had.
I was absolutely hooked from the start, and devoured half of the book in one sitting. Probably would’ve read it in a day, if I hadn’t already read the second half of another book before starting this one! There is a lot of pain going around at the start of this book, as Hawke and Tai have to navigate their broken friendship, and Hawke tries to connect with his son who just lost his mother, and trying to figure out custody issues, as well as Tai and his home life with his dad, medical issues, and finances. It made me really emotionally invested straight away, and I think that’s why it was so hard to put this book down.
I absolutely adored reading about Hawke spending the summer trying to figure out how to be a dad, alongside getting reacquainted with his former best friends and discovering that there was always something more there. As Kasen started to open up more, he became the most hilarious character, and I absolutely love it when kids and teens who are central to a story crack me up the way he did!
The epilogue brought happy tears to my eyes—I’m not a parent, but I could feel how proud Hawke was of his son, and I felt very emotional reading about how Hawke, Tai and Kasen’s futures were panning out!!
All in all, an excellent summer read, with lots of big feelings, mostly happy but also a few not, so very true to life. Off-screen death and medical conditions, the aftermath of which the characters have to deal with on-page, mentions of mental health issues, some very excellent spicy scenes, emotional moments, hilarious moments, sad moments… this book had it all. Saxon James really knows how to write books exactly how I like them, and it was such a privilege to get to read this book prior to its release!
I received an ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.
June 6, 2026
If Saxon writes it, I will devour it. I’m so happy to be kind of back in the Puckboy universe. This book focused on Hawke, Lachie’s roommate and teammate.
Jensen Hawke and Tai Barrett were best friends. Since meeting, they were inseparable. Both got signed to the NHL, but only Hawke goes, and Tai ghosts him. Tai’s dad had a stroke the day before he was meant to leave, and suddenly everything changed. He stayed home, worked 3-6 jobs to make ends meet, and took care of his dad. He had misplaced resentment that Hawke got the life he was supposed to have.
I adored Barrett’s dad, Ben. He faced challenges but never gave up. He was incredibly grateful for everything Barrett had sacrificed for him, yet he yearned to do better for himself.
Hawke now rarely returns home, but when he receives a call from his mom, he is shocked to learn that he has a 14-year-old son he never knew about and needs to return home because his son’s mother has passed away. Her mom want him to sign over custody. After meeting his son, he wants a chance to make it right.
Kasen is hurt, angry, and resentful. He doesn’t believe Hawke didn’t know about him, even though his mom told him that he didn’t, but he never wanted kids, so it was better this way. Kasen assumed that’s a lie. Now that Hawke is here, he’s going to make him pay. Kasen is a hockey player who happens to be coached by Barrett.
Barrett and Hawke have long-overdue conversations that needed to be had. One of the conversations is the crushes they had on each other.
These two are learning each other again and finding their way back together.
God, I loved Hawke and Barrett’s relationship. They came back into each other’s lives when they needed it the most. My heart broke for Barrett; he was carrying so much weight alone for so long. I’m happy Hawke forced him to go to therapy. These two were so strong and supportive of each other, and it was beautiful to read. Hawke is only home for the summer to work on his relationship with Kasen, so the two make the best of it. You can feel the chemistry between them.
After losing his mom, Kasen is terrified of letting Hawke in and makes him earn it. He wants to be sure he won’t be left again. Kasen’s gradual trust in Hawke is perfectly paced. It wasn’t rushed, but it wasn’t agonizingly slow. Kasen needed time to learn to trust Hawke.
Watching Hawke, Barrett, and Kasen find their place and become a family was truly beautiful. I can’t express how much I loved meeting these three characters and the people around them who brought this story to life.
Thank you Saxon for the privilege to read this ARC!!!
Jensen Hawke and Tai Barrett were best friends. Since meeting, they were inseparable. Both got signed to the NHL, but only Hawke goes, and Tai ghosts him. Tai’s dad had a stroke the day before he was meant to leave, and suddenly everything changed. He stayed home, worked 3-6 jobs to make ends meet, and took care of his dad. He had misplaced resentment that Hawke got the life he was supposed to have.
I adored Barrett’s dad, Ben. He faced challenges but never gave up. He was incredibly grateful for everything Barrett had sacrificed for him, yet he yearned to do better for himself.
Hawke now rarely returns home, but when he receives a call from his mom, he is shocked to learn that he has a 14-year-old son he never knew about and needs to return home because his son’s mother has passed away. Her mom want him to sign over custody. After meeting his son, he wants a chance to make it right.
Kasen is hurt, angry, and resentful. He doesn’t believe Hawke didn’t know about him, even though his mom told him that he didn’t, but he never wanted kids, so it was better this way. Kasen assumed that’s a lie. Now that Hawke is here, he’s going to make him pay. Kasen is a hockey player who happens to be coached by Barrett.
Barrett and Hawke have long-overdue conversations that needed to be had. One of the conversations is the crushes they had on each other.
These two are learning each other again and finding their way back together.
God, I loved Hawke and Barrett’s relationship. They came back into each other’s lives when they needed it the most. My heart broke for Barrett; he was carrying so much weight alone for so long. I’m happy Hawke forced him to go to therapy. These two were so strong and supportive of each other, and it was beautiful to read. Hawke is only home for the summer to work on his relationship with Kasen, so the two make the best of it. You can feel the chemistry between them.
After losing his mom, Kasen is terrified of letting Hawke in and makes him earn it. He wants to be sure he won’t be left again. Kasen’s gradual trust in Hawke is perfectly paced. It wasn’t rushed, but it wasn’t agonizingly slow. Kasen needed time to learn to trust Hawke.
Watching Hawke, Barrett, and Kasen find their place and become a family was truly beautiful. I can’t express how much I loved meeting these three characters and the people around them who brought this story to life.
Thank you Saxon for the privilege to read this ARC!!!
Review of advance copy received from Altro
ARC REVIEW
HOME ICE di Saxon James
VOTO: 4 ⭐
RECENSIONE: Home Ice è il nuovo libro autoconclusivo di Saxon James.
I protagonisti di questa storia sono Hawke, già incontrato in Charming Puckboys, ultimo libro della serie Puckboys (scritta in collaborazione con Eden Finley) e Tai Barrett.
Hawke è un giocatore professionista di Hockey, vive e gioca per la squadra di St. Louis e la sua vita è piena di successi e soddisfazioni finché una sera non riceve una telefonata da parte di sua madre: la sua ex fidanzata è morta, ma non solo: ha un bambino di quattordici anni ed è figlio di Hawke.
Nonostante lo shock, perché Hawke non ha mai saputo dell’esistenza di Kasen, parte immediatamente nella sua città natale per incontrare il figlio e scoprirà anche che il suo ex migliore amico del liceo è proprio il coach di hockey di Kasen.
Ho amato come Saxon abbia saputo usare il titolo “home ice” che nell’hockey significano le partite giocate direttamente in casa, ma in questo caso significa due cose: home perché Hawke ritorna nella sua cittadina dove è nato e cresciuto e Ice per il ghiaccio della sua relazione con Tai. Tai e Hawke erano migliori amici, facevano tutto insieme, anche giocare ad hockey ed entrambi erano stati draftati a diciannove anni. Peccato che poco prima di partire, Tai abbia tagliato ogni rapporto con Hawke che è partito lo stesso e ha iniziato la sua carriera, mentre Tai oggi, dopo dieci anni, è rimasto fermo alla sua vita di prima, costretto a fare tre lavori e ad accudire un padre malato dopo un ictus.
Questa storia non è incentrata esclusivamente sulla relazione tra i due, ma vediamo il rapporto difficile che Hawke cercherà di stabilire con suo figlio, quanto cerchi in ogni modo di stargli vicino e conoscerlo (nonostante i tempi strettissimi perché la storia si svolge in estate e durante la pausa nel campionato NHL) e il rapporto di Tai con suo padre, quanto lo faccia soffrire il fatto che suo padre stia male e quanto si senta male per dargli “la colpa” di aver rinunciato ad una carriera come giocatore professionista. Non solo: i due protagonisti dovranno ripartire da zero: sono sempre e comunque passati dieci anni e le persone cambiano nel tempo.
Non solo la relazione tra i due torna più forte di prima, ma i due capiranno che l’amicizia stretta e di dipendenza che avevano quando frequentavano il liceo, in realtà significava molto di più.
Ho ritrovato lo stile incalzante di Saxon James, amo leggere i suoi libri, sono sempre così intensi e ho sempre voglia di divorarli. Questa storia l’ho trovata molto matura sotto tutti gli aspetti: non è uno sport romance, visto la pausa estiva, nonostante i pov siano solo di Tai e Hawke, abbiamo potuto scoprire anche gli altri protagonisti secondari tra cui Kasen e il padre di Tai.
Storia assolutamente consigliata.
Ho ricevuto una copia ARC in cambio della mia opinione sincera.
*****
HOME ICE di Saxon James
VOTO: 4 ⭐
RECENSIONE: Home Ice è il nuovo libro autoconclusivo di Saxon James.
I protagonisti di questa storia sono Hawke, già incontrato in Charming Puckboys, ultimo libro della serie Puckboys (scritta in collaborazione con Eden Finley) e Tai Barrett.
Hawke è un giocatore professionista di Hockey, vive e gioca per la squadra di St. Louis e la sua vita è piena di successi e soddisfazioni finché una sera non riceve una telefonata da parte di sua madre: la sua ex fidanzata è morta, ma non solo: ha un bambino di quattordici anni ed è figlio di Hawke.
Nonostante lo shock, perché Hawke non ha mai saputo dell’esistenza di Kasen, parte immediatamente nella sua città natale per incontrare il figlio e scoprirà anche che il suo ex migliore amico del liceo è proprio il coach di hockey di Kasen.
Ho amato come Saxon abbia saputo usare il titolo “home ice” che nell’hockey significano le partite giocate direttamente in casa, ma in questo caso significa due cose: home perché Hawke ritorna nella sua cittadina dove è nato e cresciuto e Ice per il ghiaccio della sua relazione con Tai. Tai e Hawke erano migliori amici, facevano tutto insieme, anche giocare ad hockey ed entrambi erano stati draftati a diciannove anni. Peccato che poco prima di partire, Tai abbia tagliato ogni rapporto con Hawke che è partito lo stesso e ha iniziato la sua carriera, mentre Tai oggi, dopo dieci anni, è rimasto fermo alla sua vita di prima, costretto a fare tre lavori e ad accudire un padre malato dopo un ictus.
Questa storia non è incentrata esclusivamente sulla relazione tra i due, ma vediamo il rapporto difficile che Hawke cercherà di stabilire con suo figlio, quanto cerchi in ogni modo di stargli vicino e conoscerlo (nonostante i tempi strettissimi perché la storia si svolge in estate e durante la pausa nel campionato NHL) e il rapporto di Tai con suo padre, quanto lo faccia soffrire il fatto che suo padre stia male e quanto si senta male per dargli “la colpa” di aver rinunciato ad una carriera come giocatore professionista. Non solo: i due protagonisti dovranno ripartire da zero: sono sempre e comunque passati dieci anni e le persone cambiano nel tempo.
Non solo la relazione tra i due torna più forte di prima, ma i due capiranno che l’amicizia stretta e di dipendenza che avevano quando frequentavano il liceo, in realtà significava molto di più.
Ho ritrovato lo stile incalzante di Saxon James, amo leggere i suoi libri, sono sempre così intensi e ho sempre voglia di divorarli. Questa storia l’ho trovata molto matura sotto tutti gli aspetti: non è uno sport romance, visto la pausa estiva, nonostante i pov siano solo di Tai e Hawke, abbiamo potuto scoprire anche gli altri protagonisti secondari tra cui Kasen e il padre di Tai.
Storia assolutamente consigliata.
Ho ricevuto una copia ARC in cambio della mia opinione sincera.
*****
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of an Advance Copy Received from the Author
We were first introduced to Hawke briefly as Lachie's housemate in Charming Puckboy, so I was excited when we found out he was getting his own book. The trope combination was right up my alley: surprise child, small-town setting, hockey, and friends-to-strangers-to-lovers.
Hawke's off-season takes an unexpected turn when he receives a call from his mother and discovers he has a fourteen-year-old son he never knew existed. Suddenly, he's forced to return home and face not only the reality of becoming a parent overnight but also a decade's worth of unresolved history. Waiting for him is Tai Barrett, his former best friend, the person who ghosted him and cut him out of his life ten years ago.
Watching Jensen Hawke navigate the reality of having a son he never knew existed was incredibly emotional. As the story unfolded and he began to understand that Tai's absence from his life for the last ten years was far more complicated and painful than he had imagined, my heart broke for both of them. I especially hurt for Tai because I could relate to parts of his story and understood why he made some of the decisions he did. Seeing them work through years of hurt, misunderstandings, and unanswered questions to find their way back to each other was one of my favorite parts of the book.
The buildup of their relationship was excellent, something Saxon James always seems to do so well. Every interaction felt meaningful, and the emotional payoff was worth the wait. The chemistry between Hawke and Tai was undeniable, and their romantic moments were everything I hoped they would be.
And then there's Kasen. He was hands down my favorite side character. His banter with Hawke felt so natural and effortless that I found myself looking forward to every scene they shared. The ice cream shop scene had me laughing out loud and was one of the highlights of the book for me. He brought so much humor and heart to the story, balancing out some of the heavier emotional moments perfectly.
Home Ice was such a beautiful read. It made me smile, laugh, and by the end, it had me reaching for the tissues.
The final chapter, when Kasen was drafted and walked on stage to collect his jersey, completely broke me in the best way. The moment he put it on and turned around, revealing the name “Hawke” and the number 30, and the weight of what that represented hit so hard I actually cried. OmG.
Thank you, Saxon James, for the opportunity to read this ARC and for continuing to create stories that feel like pure magic.
We were first introduced to Hawke briefly as Lachie's housemate in Charming Puckboy, so I was excited when we found out he was getting his own book. The trope combination was right up my alley: surprise child, small-town setting, hockey, and friends-to-strangers-to-lovers.
Hawke's off-season takes an unexpected turn when he receives a call from his mother and discovers he has a fourteen-year-old son he never knew existed. Suddenly, he's forced to return home and face not only the reality of becoming a parent overnight but also a decade's worth of unresolved history. Waiting for him is Tai Barrett, his former best friend, the person who ghosted him and cut him out of his life ten years ago.
Watching Jensen Hawke navigate the reality of having a son he never knew existed was incredibly emotional. As the story unfolded and he began to understand that Tai's absence from his life for the last ten years was far more complicated and painful than he had imagined, my heart broke for both of them. I especially hurt for Tai because I could relate to parts of his story and understood why he made some of the decisions he did. Seeing them work through years of hurt, misunderstandings, and unanswered questions to find their way back to each other was one of my favorite parts of the book.
The buildup of their relationship was excellent, something Saxon James always seems to do so well. Every interaction felt meaningful, and the emotional payoff was worth the wait. The chemistry between Hawke and Tai was undeniable, and their romantic moments were everything I hoped they would be.
And then there's Kasen. He was hands down my favorite side character. His banter with Hawke felt so natural and effortless that I found myself looking forward to every scene they shared. The ice cream shop scene had me laughing out loud and was one of the highlights of the book for me. He brought so much humor and heart to the story, balancing out some of the heavier emotional moments perfectly.
Home Ice was such a beautiful read. It made me smile, laugh, and by the end, it had me reaching for the tissues.
The final chapter, when Kasen was drafted and walked on stage to collect his jersey, completely broke me in the best way. The moment he put it on and turned around, revealing the name “Hawke” and the number 30, and the weight of what that represented hit so hard I actually cried. OmG.
Thank you, Saxon James, for the opportunity to read this ARC and for continuing to create stories that feel like pure magic.
June 8, 2026
Home Ice by Saxon James
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
ARC Review
Boy…
How am I supposed to put my feelings about this book into words?
Sure, I’m biased. I’ll admit it. Saxon James has become one of those authors whose books I pick up without even reading the blurb first. But even taking that into account, Home Ice was something special.
From the very first pages, it felt like coming home. We get to meet Tai and Jensen, but we also get little glimpses of familiar faces from the Sadenverse, which immediately made me ridiculously happy. There’s something comforting about returning to a world you’ve loved before and finding old friends waiting there.
And yes, hockey is part of the story. It’s important. It’s woven into the characters’ lives and histories. But this isn’t one of those books where every second page is a game recap. The hockey is the backdrop, not the entire show. The real focus is on the characters, their growth, their struggles, and the connection they build.
And what a connection it is.
Tai and Jensen felt so real. Their chemistry wasn’t just about attraction; it was in the way they talked, the way they understood each other, the way they made each other better. They felt like two people who genuinely belonged together.
Then there’s the emotional damage.
At some point around the halfway mark, I genuinely couldn’t decide whether I wanted to cry or laugh. One chapter would punch me directly in the feelings, and the next would have me grinning like an idiot. Every time the story got heavy, Saxon somehow slipped in the perfect line, the perfect joke, or the perfect moment of tenderness to remind me why I was falling in love with these characters in the first place.
That’s probably what I loved most about this book: it never felt manipulative. The emotional moments hit because the characters felt real. The funny moments landed because they felt natural. Nothing was forced.
The characters had depth. The relationships had depth. The story had depth.
And somehow, despite all the emotions, the book remained incredibly easy to read. Every time I put it down, I wanted to pick it back up again. Every time I told myself “just one more chapter,” I ended up reading three.
This is one of those books that reminds me exactly why Saxon James is one of my favorite authors. It made me laugh, it made me hurt, it made me smile, and by the end I wasn’t ready to let go.
Absolutely loved it.
Loved Tai.
Loved Jensen.
Loved the story.
Loved every second of it.
A masterpiece and easily one of my favorite reads of the
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
ARC Review
Boy…
How am I supposed to put my feelings about this book into words?
Sure, I’m biased. I’ll admit it. Saxon James has become one of those authors whose books I pick up without even reading the blurb first. But even taking that into account, Home Ice was something special.
From the very first pages, it felt like coming home. We get to meet Tai and Jensen, but we also get little glimpses of familiar faces from the Sadenverse, which immediately made me ridiculously happy. There’s something comforting about returning to a world you’ve loved before and finding old friends waiting there.
And yes, hockey is part of the story. It’s important. It’s woven into the characters’ lives and histories. But this isn’t one of those books where every second page is a game recap. The hockey is the backdrop, not the entire show. The real focus is on the characters, their growth, their struggles, and the connection they build.
And what a connection it is.
Tai and Jensen felt so real. Their chemistry wasn’t just about attraction; it was in the way they talked, the way they understood each other, the way they made each other better. They felt like two people who genuinely belonged together.
Then there’s the emotional damage.
At some point around the halfway mark, I genuinely couldn’t decide whether I wanted to cry or laugh. One chapter would punch me directly in the feelings, and the next would have me grinning like an idiot. Every time the story got heavy, Saxon somehow slipped in the perfect line, the perfect joke, or the perfect moment of tenderness to remind me why I was falling in love with these characters in the first place.
That’s probably what I loved most about this book: it never felt manipulative. The emotional moments hit because the characters felt real. The funny moments landed because they felt natural. Nothing was forced.
The characters had depth. The relationships had depth. The story had depth.
And somehow, despite all the emotions, the book remained incredibly easy to read. Every time I put it down, I wanted to pick it back up again. Every time I told myself “just one more chapter,” I ended up reading three.
This is one of those books that reminds me exactly why Saxon James is one of my favorite authors. It made me laugh, it made me hurt, it made me smile, and by the end I wasn’t ready to let go.
Absolutely loved it.
Loved Tai.
Loved Jensen.
Loved the story.
Loved every second of it.
A masterpiece and easily one of my favorite reads of the
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating: 5⭐️
Spice: 2.5🌶
Vibes:
-Best Friends to Strangers to Lovers
-Single Dad
-Small Town
-Youth Hockey Coach x NHL Player
-Secret Kid
-It's Always Been You
-Emotional Reunion
Saxon has done it again. Home Ice completely stole my heart, and I adored every second of Hawke and Barrett's story.
We first met Jensen Hawke in Lachie and Sam's book, but this time he's front and centre when an unexpected phone call sends him back to the hometown he's spent years avoiding. Instead of a quiet offseason, he discovers he has a fourteen-year-old son he never knew existed, and a whole lot of unfinished business waiting for him.
That unfinished business comes in the form of Tai Barrett, the best friend who disappeared from Hawke's life ten years ago.
The best friends-to-lovers foundation was already enough to hook me, but adding a decade of hurt, unanswered questions, and lingering feelings made this story impossible to put down. Watching Hawke and Barrett slowly unravel what really happened all those years ago was both heartbreaking and beautiful. The love between them never truly disappeared, it was just buried beneath years of regret, guilt, and misunderstandings.
What made this story so special for me was how perfectly the romance and family storyline balanced each other. Hawke's determination to build a relationship with Kasen after missing fourteen years of his life was incredibly moving. Every interaction felt genuine, messy, and heartfelt. At the same time, Barrett is navigating his own challenges caring for his father, and I loved how these two became each other's safe place while working through everything life had thrown at them.
Saxon has such a gift for packing huge emotional moments into stories that still feel light, hopeful, and swoony. I laughed, I smiled, I teared up, and by the end I was fully invested in this little family.
The spice hits exactly the way I've come to expect from Saxon James, hot, emotional, and completely driven by the connection between the characters. The chemistry between Hawke and Barrett is undeniable, but it's the years of history and longing behind every moment that makes it hit so much harder.
I'm already a sucker for best friends-to-lovers, but give me best friends-to-strangers-to-lovers with ten years of pining and I'll eat it up every single time.
And that ending? I was in tears.
Absolute perfection. No notes. Read this book.
Spice: 2.5🌶
Vibes:
-Best Friends to Strangers to Lovers
-Single Dad
-Small Town
-Youth Hockey Coach x NHL Player
-Secret Kid
-It's Always Been You
-Emotional Reunion
Saxon has done it again. Home Ice completely stole my heart, and I adored every second of Hawke and Barrett's story.
We first met Jensen Hawke in Lachie and Sam's book, but this time he's front and centre when an unexpected phone call sends him back to the hometown he's spent years avoiding. Instead of a quiet offseason, he discovers he has a fourteen-year-old son he never knew existed, and a whole lot of unfinished business waiting for him.
That unfinished business comes in the form of Tai Barrett, the best friend who disappeared from Hawke's life ten years ago.
The best friends-to-lovers foundation was already enough to hook me, but adding a decade of hurt, unanswered questions, and lingering feelings made this story impossible to put down. Watching Hawke and Barrett slowly unravel what really happened all those years ago was both heartbreaking and beautiful. The love between them never truly disappeared, it was just buried beneath years of regret, guilt, and misunderstandings.
What made this story so special for me was how perfectly the romance and family storyline balanced each other. Hawke's determination to build a relationship with Kasen after missing fourteen years of his life was incredibly moving. Every interaction felt genuine, messy, and heartfelt. At the same time, Barrett is navigating his own challenges caring for his father, and I loved how these two became each other's safe place while working through everything life had thrown at them.
Saxon has such a gift for packing huge emotional moments into stories that still feel light, hopeful, and swoony. I laughed, I smiled, I teared up, and by the end I was fully invested in this little family.
The spice hits exactly the way I've come to expect from Saxon James, hot, emotional, and completely driven by the connection between the characters. The chemistry between Hawke and Barrett is undeniable, but it's the years of history and longing behind every moment that makes it hit so much harder.
I'm already a sucker for best friends-to-lovers, but give me best friends-to-strangers-to-lovers with ten years of pining and I'll eat it up every single time.
And that ending? I was in tears.
Absolute perfection. No notes. Read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Saxon James has done it again!!!!
At this point, a new Saxon James release automatically jumps to the top of my reading list, and this book reminded me exactly why. While it may be a hockey romance on the surface, it is also a deeply emotional story about grief, healing, friendship, and finding your way back to the people who matter most.
Tai and Jensen completely captured my heart. Their journey was layered with history, hurt, longing, and undeniable chemistry. I was invested in them from the very beginning. And of course, I can't talk about this book without mentioning Kasen. His sarcasm brought so much personality to the story, but beneath that humor was a character carrying an incredible amount of pain and fear.
Kasen's storyline resonated with me on a personal level. Having experienced the loss of a parent myself, I found his grief heartbreakingly authentic. The questions, the anger, and the quite longing for his dad felt incredibly real, and Saxon James handled those emotions with such care.
Jensen Hawke was an equally compelling character. The news that brings him back home during the offseason adds another emotional layer to the story, and his uncertainty and vulnerability felt palpable on every page. His reunion with Tai after ten years of silence was everything I hoped it would be, filled with tension, unresolved feelings, and years of hurt waiting to be addressed.
Tai's story touched me deeply as well. He had been carrying the weight of so much for far too long, and watching him reconnect with Jensen was both emotional and rewarding. His relationship with his father especially struck a chord with me and often reminded me of my own. Seeing Tai finally allow himself to lean on someone and accept the support he needed was one of the most meaningful aspects of the book.
And yes, the romance delivered. The chemistry between Tai and Jensen was fantastic, and when their relationship finally evolved beyond friendship, every moment was chefs kiss. The emotional connection between them made the romantic and steamy moments fire.
This story made me laugh, ache, smile, and occasionally tear up. It is a beautiful book about love, loss, family, and second chances, wrapped up in a romance that left me completely invested in these characters and their journey. Thank you to Saxon James for the opportunity to read this ARC. It truly has become a favorite for me!
At this point, a new Saxon James release automatically jumps to the top of my reading list, and this book reminded me exactly why. While it may be a hockey romance on the surface, it is also a deeply emotional story about grief, healing, friendship, and finding your way back to the people who matter most.
Tai and Jensen completely captured my heart. Their journey was layered with history, hurt, longing, and undeniable chemistry. I was invested in them from the very beginning. And of course, I can't talk about this book without mentioning Kasen. His sarcasm brought so much personality to the story, but beneath that humor was a character carrying an incredible amount of pain and fear.
Kasen's storyline resonated with me on a personal level. Having experienced the loss of a parent myself, I found his grief heartbreakingly authentic. The questions, the anger, and the quite longing for his dad felt incredibly real, and Saxon James handled those emotions with such care.
Jensen Hawke was an equally compelling character. The news that brings him back home during the offseason adds another emotional layer to the story, and his uncertainty and vulnerability felt palpable on every page. His reunion with Tai after ten years of silence was everything I hoped it would be, filled with tension, unresolved feelings, and years of hurt waiting to be addressed.
Tai's story touched me deeply as well. He had been carrying the weight of so much for far too long, and watching him reconnect with Jensen was both emotional and rewarding. His relationship with his father especially struck a chord with me and often reminded me of my own. Seeing Tai finally allow himself to lean on someone and accept the support he needed was one of the most meaningful aspects of the book.
And yes, the romance delivered. The chemistry between Tai and Jensen was fantastic, and when their relationship finally evolved beyond friendship, every moment was chefs kiss. The emotional connection between them made the romantic and steamy moments fire.
This story made me laugh, ache, smile, and occasionally tear up. It is a beautiful book about love, loss, family, and second chances, wrapped up in a romance that left me completely invested in these characters and their journey. Thank you to Saxon James for the opportunity to read this ARC. It truly has become a favorite for me!
Review of advance copy
I loved this book so much.
Friends to enemies to friends to lovers and then some makes this the perfect story in which to hook a secret child as a secondary plotline while mixing in all the elements of the small town vibes and sports romance that Saxon is so good at.
Here we get Hawke's story, who we just met in the last of the Puckboys series providing Lachie Kikishkin with a home in Charming Puckboy and his former inseparable best friend, Tai Barrett.
They've not spoken for ten years, since Hawke signed pro and Barrett dropped him and ghosted out of his life, something that's had an effect on him ever since, even though he's not willing to face that.
When Hawke's called back to his home town on the discovery of a potential son he knew nothing about, his paths cross once again with Barrett's and we begin the slow journey to them repairing their friendship.
Because, of course it wasn't as simple as Tai just ghosting Jensen, he was hiding away from the world after his father had a devastating stroke which stopped his own professional ice hockey career dead.
I loved how much work both men put into reconnecting, once they realised that there was still something there. I loved how much humour and bantering their friendship naturally fell back into and I loved how they both revealed their crushes/sexual awakenings were about the other back when they were teenagers.
Everything about this worked for me, even the "child" elements of the story because Kasen was a great guy learning how to navigate a world that had been changed irreparably by the death of his mother and the arrival of a dad he's known nothing about.
Jensen's willingness to be there for him, backed up by Coach Barrett, gave him stability and somewhere safe for his big emotions and fears to land. He read as a typical 14-year-old boy obsessed with ice hockey, he's judgy, snarky, closed off and hurting.
The push and pull as Jensen learns how to just be there for his son is beautiful to read, his support from Tai invaluable, and the minor plotline involving Tai's dad Ben and him wanting some independence back as he's continuing to deal with his life after the stroke, just adds another welcome string to the threads of this story.
I would have liked maybe a bit more leading up before we got the Epilogue, but that itself just sealed the deal for this wonderful romance.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Foreword PR, I am voluntarily leaving a review
Friends to enemies to friends to lovers and then some makes this the perfect story in which to hook a secret child as a secondary plotline while mixing in all the elements of the small town vibes and sports romance that Saxon is so good at.
Here we get Hawke's story, who we just met in the last of the Puckboys series providing Lachie Kikishkin with a home in Charming Puckboy and his former inseparable best friend, Tai Barrett.
They've not spoken for ten years, since Hawke signed pro and Barrett dropped him and ghosted out of his life, something that's had an effect on him ever since, even though he's not willing to face that.
When Hawke's called back to his home town on the discovery of a potential son he knew nothing about, his paths cross once again with Barrett's and we begin the slow journey to them repairing their friendship.
Because, of course it wasn't as simple as Tai just ghosting Jensen, he was hiding away from the world after his father had a devastating stroke which stopped his own professional ice hockey career dead.
I loved how much work both men put into reconnecting, once they realised that there was still something there. I loved how much humour and bantering their friendship naturally fell back into and I loved how they both revealed their crushes/sexual awakenings were about the other back when they were teenagers.
Everything about this worked for me, even the "child" elements of the story because Kasen was a great guy learning how to navigate a world that had been changed irreparably by the death of his mother and the arrival of a dad he's known nothing about.
Jensen's willingness to be there for him, backed up by Coach Barrett, gave him stability and somewhere safe for his big emotions and fears to land. He read as a typical 14-year-old boy obsessed with ice hockey, he's judgy, snarky, closed off and hurting.
The push and pull as Jensen learns how to just be there for his son is beautiful to read, his support from Tai invaluable, and the minor plotline involving Tai's dad Ben and him wanting some independence back as he's continuing to deal with his life after the stroke, just adds another welcome string to the threads of this story.
I would have liked maybe a bit more leading up before we got the Epilogue, but that itself just sealed the deal for this wonderful romance.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Foreword PR, I am voluntarily leaving a review
Review of advance copy
Can we talk about how much I loved this story?! Saxon brought so much emotion to this book, and it was an absolute joy to read Hawke (Jensen) and Barrett (Tai) find their way back to each other and fall in love. I love the tropes; friends to lovers, pro hockey player vs. hometown hockey coach, surprise teenage son (LOVE KASEN!!) and really, it's always been you! I will forever love this story.
This one was emotional, and I dare you not to get teared up or cry. Hawke is literally one of the sweetest characters and really holds his own when his life gets turned upside down. He shows courage and bravery, compassion and forgiveness, loyalty and understanding. He is so protective of the people he loves, and when life gives him back his bestie and a son all one shot, he opens his heart right up. I loved it. Tai is the support. He gives himself 100% to his responsibilities, most notably his father, who is also just the sweetest man. I loved their dynamic. Life really threw them a curveball, but Tai stepped up and did what he had to do no matter the cost. And that cost included, unfortunately, losing Hawke for a time. It was really special seeing them come together to rebuild their friendship while also not being able to deny the pull of more. They have always been what the other needed, and when they inevitably fall, it got me right in the chest.
They have so much chemistry and build each other up. They have a borderline codependent relationship, and no shame I am cheering them right on! They found their person early in life, and there is nothing wrong with that! The spice was spiccceeyyyy. Saxon kicked this one up a level and had some of my favorite scenes she has ever written.
And last but not least, Kasen. I mean, come on! How much can the heart take when you meet your son at the age of 14 who is guarded but shares so many of your similarities it's scary? He is a special character and brought another level to the story. I couldn't help but be torn, but in the best way; Hawke wants to know his son and was denied that and said son is smart, loyal, determined and shares the same passion for hockey. I couldn't help but feel they were both cheated and betrayed. By the end of the story, i understood, but I still hold a bit of a grudge for Carly.
Bravo Saxon. I loved this book. I want to read it again and again. It is special and I feel really honored to have received an ARC from Foreword PR. Thank you!
This one was emotional, and I dare you not to get teared up or cry. Hawke is literally one of the sweetest characters and really holds his own when his life gets turned upside down. He shows courage and bravery, compassion and forgiveness, loyalty and understanding. He is so protective of the people he loves, and when life gives him back his bestie and a son all one shot, he opens his heart right up. I loved it. Tai is the support. He gives himself 100% to his responsibilities, most notably his father, who is also just the sweetest man. I loved their dynamic. Life really threw them a curveball, but Tai stepped up and did what he had to do no matter the cost. And that cost included, unfortunately, losing Hawke for a time. It was really special seeing them come together to rebuild their friendship while also not being able to deny the pull of more. They have always been what the other needed, and when they inevitably fall, it got me right in the chest.
They have so much chemistry and build each other up. They have a borderline codependent relationship, and no shame I am cheering them right on! They found their person early in life, and there is nothing wrong with that! The spice was spiccceeyyyy. Saxon kicked this one up a level and had some of my favorite scenes she has ever written.
And last but not least, Kasen. I mean, come on! How much can the heart take when you meet your son at the age of 14 who is guarded but shares so many of your similarities it's scary? He is a special character and brought another level to the story. I couldn't help but be torn, but in the best way; Hawke wants to know his son and was denied that and said son is smart, loyal, determined and shares the same passion for hockey. I couldn't help but feel they were both cheated and betrayed. By the end of the story, i understood, but I still hold a bit of a grudge for Carly.
Bravo Saxon. I loved this book. I want to read it again and again. It is special and I feel really honored to have received an ARC from Foreword PR. Thank you!
Review of advance copy
SPECTACULAR! Wow I Ioved every second of this book! Hawke and Barrett are a top tier Saxon couple for me now. Their best friends to strangers to friends to lovers arc was so heartbreakingly beautiful to experience. Hawke has everything he ever wanted, except his best friend who he left behind after being ghosted 10 years ago. Barrett is struggling to keep his shit together, juggling a sick father, multiple jobs, and mental health struggles. Kasen is revealed to be Hawkes surprise teenage son when his mother tragically passes and he’s got a fierce attitude that makes Hawke work for every second they spend together. Seeing these 3 come together in their struggles and their grief was incredible. Hawke has to deal with the child he never knew and work through mourning the childhood he missed out on with his son AND the friendship he lost when Barrett cut him off. Kasen is working through the grief of losing his mother and learning to trust his newly found father. Barrett mourns the life he could have had if his father hadn’t had a stroke, while also dealing with anxiety, depression, and some hoarding tendencies. I loved the representation of each of these characters and how they came together to become a strong unit. I honestly left this book craving a second, I want to see more of how Hawke and Barrett work through their long distance while still supporting each others mental health needs; I want more of Kasen and how his hockey career develops! I even want Barrett’s dad to end up with the cafe owner!
My one note about this book is how in the heck did NO ONE over TEN years happen to mention to Hawke what happened to Barrett’s dad?? His parents live in the same town? His sister is a meddling nosy girl?? I would believe it more if this was set in the 70s/80s and social media didn’t exist but you’re telling me not one single soul ever spilled the beans? Come on, be for real. But alas, I’m choosing to live in ignorance and pretend this premise of a problem could actually happen in the 2010-2020s.
Overall I loved this book, it has everything a good Saxon book needs. It was fun, wholesome, dirty, emotional, and just an incredibly thought out story of queer love.
My one note about this book is how in the heck did NO ONE over TEN years happen to mention to Hawke what happened to Barrett’s dad?? His parents live in the same town? His sister is a meddling nosy girl?? I would believe it more if this was set in the 70s/80s and social media didn’t exist but you’re telling me not one single soul ever spilled the beans? Come on, be for real. But alas, I’m choosing to live in ignorance and pretend this premise of a problem could actually happen in the 2010-2020s.
Overall I loved this book, it has everything a good Saxon book needs. It was fun, wholesome, dirty, emotional, and just an incredibly thought out story of queer love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
Home Ice by Saxon James
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Jensen—better known as Hawke, Lachlan Kikishen's roommate from the Puckboys series—finally gets his story, and it was everything I hoped it would be. I definitely did not have secret teenage son on my bingo card for Hawke, but somehow it worked perfectly. After the death of his high school ex, Hawke discovers he has a son, Kason, and returns to his hometown to meet him. Once there, he finds himself back in the orbit of Tai, his childhood best friend who abruptly cut him out of his life when Hawke made it to the NHL.
I'll be honest: I was fully prepared to dislike Tai. Who ghosts their best friend without an explanation? Instead, he completely broke my heart. Tai gave up his dreams to stay home and care for his father, spending years scraping by with multiple jobs and carrying the weight of that responsibility largely on his own. The more I learned about his choices and the shame he carried, the more I understood him. Watching him slowly let Hawke back into his life was incredibly moving. More than anything, I wanted someone to help him carry the burdens he'd been shouldering alone for so long.
And Hawke? My heart ached for him, too. Learning that he missed his son's entire childhood is devastating, and there's no way to get that time back. What I loved most was that he never runs when things get difficult, even when he wants to. Building a relationship with Kason isn't easy, but Hawke keeps showing up. Again and again. He also has such a forgiving heart, willing to open himself up to Tai despite the hurt of being shut out for over a decade.
Together, Hawke and Tai are everything. Yes, the chemistry is fantastic, but it's the emotional intimacy that makes their relationship so special. They support each other, challenge each other, and create a safe place for the other to land. Add Kason into the mix, and they become the sweetest little family unit.
This book made me laugh, swoon, and cry—actual tears were shed. Another fantastic read from Saxon James.
Thank you to the author and FOREWORD PR for providing an ARC!
Home Ice by Saxon James
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Jensen—better known as Hawke, Lachlan Kikishen's roommate from the Puckboys series—finally gets his story, and it was everything I hoped it would be. I definitely did not have secret teenage son on my bingo card for Hawke, but somehow it worked perfectly. After the death of his high school ex, Hawke discovers he has a son, Kason, and returns to his hometown to meet him. Once there, he finds himself back in the orbit of Tai, his childhood best friend who abruptly cut him out of his life when Hawke made it to the NHL.
I'll be honest: I was fully prepared to dislike Tai. Who ghosts their best friend without an explanation? Instead, he completely broke my heart. Tai gave up his dreams to stay home and care for his father, spending years scraping by with multiple jobs and carrying the weight of that responsibility largely on his own. The more I learned about his choices and the shame he carried, the more I understood him. Watching him slowly let Hawke back into his life was incredibly moving. More than anything, I wanted someone to help him carry the burdens he'd been shouldering alone for so long.
And Hawke? My heart ached for him, too. Learning that he missed his son's entire childhood is devastating, and there's no way to get that time back. What I loved most was that he never runs when things get difficult, even when he wants to. Building a relationship with Kason isn't easy, but Hawke keeps showing up. Again and again. He also has such a forgiving heart, willing to open himself up to Tai despite the hurt of being shut out for over a decade.
Together, Hawke and Tai are everything. Yes, the chemistry is fantastic, but it's the emotional intimacy that makes their relationship so special. They support each other, challenge each other, and create a safe place for the other to land. Add Kason into the mix, and they become the sweetest little family unit.
This book made me laugh, swoon, and cry—actual tears were shed. Another fantastic read from Saxon James.
Thank you to the author and FOREWORD PR for providing an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Saxon James never fails to surprise me with how emotionally attached I get over her characters. I also have to say that I am NOT a fan of second chances and friends to lovers so for me to get absolutely obsessed with this story was not on my bingo card. I mean, it's Saxon James, so I knew I would enjoy it, but this was next level!
Read if you like:
- hockey mm romance
- small town
- single dad (secret child)
- second chance
- best friends to strangers to lovers
This story started with the life changing news that Hawke has a kid he never knew about. Seeing him navigating this was honestly so well done. You could see all the evolution from the shock to the questioning parts about what he wanted to do about it and how he could make things possible. While I am someone who mainly reads for the romance, let me tell you that the relationship between Jensen and his kid Kasen actually stole my heart. It was so damn beautiful, and I loved every interaction they had. It was awkward, full of angst and incertitude, it was scary at times, but more than anything: it felt REAL.
That being said, the slow reunion between Hawke and Barrett after so long was as satisfying. They had so much history, and they still knew the other so well. It was super helpful for Hawke to have Barrett around during this turning point in his life, but it was also amazing to see Hawke push Barrett to get better. It got me super emotional how much Tai was actually keeping inside, he was carrying so much on his shoulder and living a life without really living. I was so glad to see him get to a better place. I really feel like this romance was one where our characters are so supportive it makes them such a strong unity when they are together.
And lastly, to no one's surprise, the spice was excellent!
While I have read a lot of Saxon James' books, her hockey series are still on my TBR, so I was completely new to these characters/universe, but it definitely made me curious about it all.
Huge thanks to Saxon James and Foreword PR for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Read if you like:
- hockey mm romance
- small town
- single dad (secret child)
- second chance
- best friends to strangers to lovers
This story started with the life changing news that Hawke has a kid he never knew about. Seeing him navigating this was honestly so well done. You could see all the evolution from the shock to the questioning parts about what he wanted to do about it and how he could make things possible. While I am someone who mainly reads for the romance, let me tell you that the relationship between Jensen and his kid Kasen actually stole my heart. It was so damn beautiful, and I loved every interaction they had. It was awkward, full of angst and incertitude, it was scary at times, but more than anything: it felt REAL.
That being said, the slow reunion between Hawke and Barrett after so long was as satisfying. They had so much history, and they still knew the other so well. It was super helpful for Hawke to have Barrett around during this turning point in his life, but it was also amazing to see Hawke push Barrett to get better. It got me super emotional how much Tai was actually keeping inside, he was carrying so much on his shoulder and living a life without really living. I was so glad to see him get to a better place. I really feel like this romance was one where our characters are so supportive it makes them such a strong unity when they are together.
And lastly, to no one's surprise, the spice was excellent!
While I have read a lot of Saxon James' books, her hockey series are still on my TBR, so I was completely new to these characters/universe, but it definitely made me curious about it all.
Huge thanks to Saxon James and Foreword PR for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
June 19, 2026
First let me thank Forward PR for sending me an advance reader copy of this Saxon James title. I was not paid for this review.
I went into reading Home Ice excited for Saxon to be writing a solo hockey title. When I found out this book was going to focus on Hawke from Charming Puckboy I was even more excited to get my hands on this book. There was a lot of buzz I was seeing from other arc readers and I was getting hyped up for this book. I can tell you with 100% certainty that this book lives up to the hype and is a beautiful story.
What I love about Home Ice is that it takes the humor and witty characters one can expect from Saxon and combines steamy passionate scenes along with tender heart wrenching moments. This book had me sat from start to finish because it was so good. Saxon James proves that she is a gifted writer who develops amazing characters and can deliver emotional moments that has the reader crying. I seriously needed to have a box of tissues nearby because this book was so good and so emotional.
This book was ambitious for Saxon James and she delivered. There are so many plot points and nuggets of information all tied into this book and Saxon does it with such a fun and engaging writing style. Home Ice is a must read for any fan of Sadenverse characters.
As a reader who has come to love and enjoy several of Saxon James’ works, I can say that Home Ice is my top favorite book of hers I have read. To me, Home Ice proves that Saxon is a developed writer who can tackle stronger more emotional topics and weave it into the feel good comfort of a romance book. I already want more from these characters because reading their story and following along with their development had me rooting and cheering along (and crying too).
Readers and fans of Sadenverse books will be talking about Home Ice because it’s different and yet so familiar. It’s comforting and yet heartbreaking and healing all at the same time. There is so much warmth and tenderness in this book and I know it will be a book I reread over and over.
I went into reading Home Ice excited for Saxon to be writing a solo hockey title. When I found out this book was going to focus on Hawke from Charming Puckboy I was even more excited to get my hands on this book. There was a lot of buzz I was seeing from other arc readers and I was getting hyped up for this book. I can tell you with 100% certainty that this book lives up to the hype and is a beautiful story.
What I love about Home Ice is that it takes the humor and witty characters one can expect from Saxon and combines steamy passionate scenes along with tender heart wrenching moments. This book had me sat from start to finish because it was so good. Saxon James proves that she is a gifted writer who develops amazing characters and can deliver emotional moments that has the reader crying. I seriously needed to have a box of tissues nearby because this book was so good and so emotional.
This book was ambitious for Saxon James and she delivered. There are so many plot points and nuggets of information all tied into this book and Saxon does it with such a fun and engaging writing style. Home Ice is a must read for any fan of Sadenverse characters.
As a reader who has come to love and enjoy several of Saxon James’ works, I can say that Home Ice is my top favorite book of hers I have read. To me, Home Ice proves that Saxon is a developed writer who can tackle stronger more emotional topics and weave it into the feel good comfort of a romance book. I already want more from these characters because reading their story and following along with their development had me rooting and cheering along (and crying too).
Readers and fans of Sadenverse books will be talking about Home Ice because it’s different and yet so familiar. It’s comforting and yet heartbreaking and healing all at the same time. There is so much warmth and tenderness in this book and I know it will be a book I reread over and over.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I’m on your team. There’ll never be a day where I’m not.”
Tai's carefree, hedonistic life comes to a screeching halt when he learns he's not only a dad, but the single father of a 14 year old boy. He returns to his hometown to meet his son, and reunites with his former best friend Jensen- who just happens to be his new son's hockey coach. This story is emotionally tangled, messy and so, so compelling.
When he’s around, I want him to be around more. Like his cells are magnetized to my cells, and we’re both too weak to resist the pull.
Tai's efforts to shape up and prove worthy of his son's expectations is a big focus of the book, but so is the developing romance between him and Jensen. The two were inseparable growing up, and were supposed to enter their rookie years together in the NHL until Jensen mysteriously ghosted Tai. They've been estranged for years and yet the chemistry between them is immediately just as combustible as it was when they were younger. In the years since, Tai has unofficially come out as bisexual, and Jensen has realized he's gay. Their attraction to each other isn't the issue between the two- Tai realizes he needs to focus on his son, and Jensen is terrified of being left behind when Tai returns to his regular life at the end of the summer break from the season.
Summer is short, and I’m scared that I’ll leave and he’ll go back to his silence, so I’m determined to imprint myself on his brain so deeply that he’ll never forget me again.
This book is all about trust- developing it, proving you're worthy of it, and getting to the point where you're willing to extend it to others. It's a great read, and surprisingly light-hearted and funny despite the somewhat heavy subject matter. It's very hopeful and healing. Tai's son Kasen is my favourite part of the book and normally I am not a big fan of single dad romances. The book made me super emotional more than a few times and I can see myself rereading it in the future.
"I’ve loved you since before I knew what love was.”
Rating: 4 stars
Angst: 3/5
Steam: 3.5/5
I received an advance copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Foreword for allowing me the pleasure of receiving this ARC.
At this point, my love for Saxon James and her books is probably abundantly clear.
Whether she is writing about hockey players or wild men in the woods, I will read whatever she writes.
However, this book hit a bit differently than the others. It was beautiful storytelling that was beautifully written with amazing characters that you cannot help but fall in love with.
I adore the single dad trope but I think this may be one of my first books where there is a secret child that the character finds out about in later life. Kasen is pretty much a full person by the time we meet him, and we all know how scary teenagers can be.
The story follows Jensen Hawke, a hockey player from St Louis, as he navigates new parenthood after finding out he has a teenage son. On the visit home to finally meet his son, he reconnects with his former best friend Tai Barrett who he was ghosted by when he joined the NHL.
Watching Hawke trying to reconnect with Barrett and form a bond with Kasen is heartwarming and shows the softer side of his character. The trio face their own obstacles and challenges that makes the story feel like the odds are so much higher and that their happiness will be the ultimate prize.
Saxon never disappoints and this is another example of why she is one of my auto-read authors. Her ability to write characters that I absolutely adore with my whole being and stories that feel real in a sense that even famous hockey players have problems but in a way that also feels like an escape from reality is amazing.
I cannot wait to see what comes next for Saxon but I know I will be dropping anything and everything when the next book comes.
At this point, my love for Saxon James and her books is probably abundantly clear.
Whether she is writing about hockey players or wild men in the woods, I will read whatever she writes.
However, this book hit a bit differently than the others. It was beautiful storytelling that was beautifully written with amazing characters that you cannot help but fall in love with.
I adore the single dad trope but I think this may be one of my first books where there is a secret child that the character finds out about in later life. Kasen is pretty much a full person by the time we meet him, and we all know how scary teenagers can be.
The story follows Jensen Hawke, a hockey player from St Louis, as he navigates new parenthood after finding out he has a teenage son. On the visit home to finally meet his son, he reconnects with his former best friend Tai Barrett who he was ghosted by when he joined the NHL.
Watching Hawke trying to reconnect with Barrett and form a bond with Kasen is heartwarming and shows the softer side of his character. The trio face their own obstacles and challenges that makes the story feel like the odds are so much higher and that their happiness will be the ultimate prize.
Saxon never disappoints and this is another example of why she is one of my auto-read authors. Her ability to write characters that I absolutely adore with my whole being and stories that feel real in a sense that even famous hockey players have problems but in a way that also feels like an escape from reality is amazing.
I cannot wait to see what comes next for Saxon but I know I will be dropping anything and everything when the next book comes.
June 19, 2026
Home Ice by Saxon James was everything I wanted in a hockey romance and more. Jensen is living his dream as an NHL player when a shocking phone call from his mother reveals he has a 14-year-old son he never knew existed. Returning to his hometown forces him to confront not only his new reality as a father, but also Tai, the best friend he left behind years ago.
Jensen and Tai’s story completely captured my heart. Years earlier, they had planned to leave town together, but Tai never showed up. As the story unfolds, we learn Tai stayed behind to care for his father after a stroke, sacrificing his own dreams in the process. Their reunion is awkward and emotional, filled with years of hurt, longing, and unanswered questions. Watching them reconnect felt natural and authentic, and their transition from reminiscing about the past to building something new together was beautifully done. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and the spice was absolutely fantastic.
What truly made this book stand out for me, though, was Jensen’s relationship with his son, Kasen. Kasen is understandably angry and resentful at first, and the journey toward trust and understanding is one of the most rewarding parts of the story. Jensen works hard to earn a place in Kasen’s life, and his growth throughout the novel was incredible to witness. He’s forced to face difficult truths, reevaluate his priorities, and make life-changing decisions before the hockey season begins again.
This book had the perfect balance of romance, family, personal growth, and hockey. It was wonderful to be back in Saxon James’s hockey world, and I loved seeing Jensen’s transformation from beginning to end. If you enjoy second-chance romance, surprise children, friends-to-lovers, emotional reunions, and hockey romance, Home Ice is a must-read.
Jensen and Tai’s story completely captured my heart. Years earlier, they had planned to leave town together, but Tai never showed up. As the story unfolds, we learn Tai stayed behind to care for his father after a stroke, sacrificing his own dreams in the process. Their reunion is awkward and emotional, filled with years of hurt, longing, and unanswered questions. Watching them reconnect felt natural and authentic, and their transition from reminiscing about the past to building something new together was beautifully done. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and the spice was absolutely fantastic.
What truly made this book stand out for me, though, was Jensen’s relationship with his son, Kasen. Kasen is understandably angry and resentful at first, and the journey toward trust and understanding is one of the most rewarding parts of the story. Jensen works hard to earn a place in Kasen’s life, and his growth throughout the novel was incredible to witness. He’s forced to face difficult truths, reevaluate his priorities, and make life-changing decisions before the hockey season begins again.
This book had the perfect balance of romance, family, personal growth, and hockey. It was wonderful to be back in Saxon James’s hockey world, and I loved seeing Jensen’s transformation from beginning to end. If you enjoy second-chance romance, surprise children, friends-to-lovers, emotional reunions, and hockey romance, Home Ice is a must-read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The last thing Jensen wanted was to go home. But when he receives shocking news, he has no choice. Turns out, he has a son. Fourteen years old and the kid just lost his mom in a car accident. And what kills Jensen is that no one ever told him. But convincing Kasen that he didn’t purposely abandon him is a whole challenge in itself. Because the moment he meets Kasen, Jensen knows that he wants to be there for his kid. If Kasen will let him. And to do that, he may need a little help from the one person that hurt him ten years ago. Ten years ago, Tai ghosted his best friend without a word. What he was going through, he couldn’t let Jensen know. Tai needed to be home to help his dad and gave up his dream to play in the NHL. And in giving that up, he just couldn’t make himself be there for Jensen. But he has regrets. And he knows that Jensen has every reason to be angry with him still. But when Jensen returns home, they are given a chance to set things right. And in doing so, they may realize that what was between them was so much more than simply being best friends. Loved this story! Just so good all around. Big shocks may have hit Jensen and knocked him down for a minute, but he got back up. I loved how he didn’t give up on his kid and gave himself a chance to do what he would have always done had he known about him. And I loved that he got his best friend back and even more, once him and Tai actually talked about their past. Their chemistry was so strong even before they went from friends to more. And I loved seeing them find their way back to one another. Great story all around!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Saxon James has done it again!
I was so excited that Hawke would be getting his own book after meeting him in Charming Puckboy and this story did not disappoint. This is one of my favourite books I've read so far this year and is definitely one of my favourite Saxon James books to date.
Home Ice follows Jensen Hawke and Tai Barrett, best friends who haven't spoken in 10 years that are suddenly reunited when Hawke returns to their hometown after discovering he has a 14 year old son he never knew about.
I love a book where the characters reconnect after a long time apart and this was done so well. Getting to read it from both perspectives let you understand exactly how both of them were feeling. The hurt from Hawke at not knowing what happened. The guilt from Barrett about being the one to walk away from their friendship. Ugh, it was just so good.
Whilst this is a fun and flirty romance, it also had a lot of emotional depth that made it feel all the more real. I liked that both characters had their own lives and struggles outside of their relationship that they supported each other through. Hawke's journey with trying to bond with Kasen, his son, and how he was going to be apart of his life and Barrett's struggles with looking after his dad and taking time for himself made this book even better. The way these two showed up for each other time and time again, even after so much time apart was so heartwarming.
This is a great summer read if you like small towns, childhood friends to strangers to lovers, snarky teenagers and secret spots by a lake. Could not recommend this book enough!!
I was so excited that Hawke would be getting his own book after meeting him in Charming Puckboy and this story did not disappoint. This is one of my favourite books I've read so far this year and is definitely one of my favourite Saxon James books to date.
Home Ice follows Jensen Hawke and Tai Barrett, best friends who haven't spoken in 10 years that are suddenly reunited when Hawke returns to their hometown after discovering he has a 14 year old son he never knew about.
I love a book where the characters reconnect after a long time apart and this was done so well. Getting to read it from both perspectives let you understand exactly how both of them were feeling. The hurt from Hawke at not knowing what happened. The guilt from Barrett about being the one to walk away from their friendship. Ugh, it was just so good.
Whilst this is a fun and flirty romance, it also had a lot of emotional depth that made it feel all the more real. I liked that both characters had their own lives and struggles outside of their relationship that they supported each other through. Hawke's journey with trying to bond with Kasen, his son, and how he was going to be apart of his life and Barrett's struggles with looking after his dad and taking time for himself made this book even better. The way these two showed up for each other time and time again, even after so much time apart was so heartwarming.
This is a great summer read if you like small towns, childhood friends to strangers to lovers, snarky teenagers and secret spots by a lake. Could not recommend this book enough!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was incredibly excited to receive an advanced reader copy of Saxon James’ newest release, Home Ice. As many of you know who follow my page, I am a huge fan and I was really excited to read Hawkes’ story, whom we met in the last of the Puckboys books, Charming Puckboy!
It definitely did not disappoint, Home Ice was, small town charm, hurt/ comfort, second chance, it’s always been you, with a surprise child.
I loved how we got to see softer sides to athletes, it’s always been one of my favourite things in Saxon’s books. They’re not just hockey legends, they are people.
Hawke and Barrett’s love for one another shone through on the page, even though they weren’t even aware of how deep their feelings went for each other initially we could feel how much they meant to one another and how much they would do literally anything to support and help each other through the best days and the hardest.
Seeing overwhelm and depression written on the page was so cathartic for me as someone who suffers from both, the way Tai was able to work through this and with the help of Jensen, get to a place where he could breathe just a little bit easier made their story all the more better.
Not forgetting the character growth and development of Jensen and Kasen’s story. Going from strangers, to reluctant friends to father and son, was so magically written. It was okay that it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, it was realistic and you really, really rotted for all of our characters to grow together to get their happy endings.
5 stars, wonderful story, Beautifully written. So incredibly satisfying, I love when the reformed playboy becomes a lovesick fool!
It definitely did not disappoint, Home Ice was, small town charm, hurt/ comfort, second chance, it’s always been you, with a surprise child.
I loved how we got to see softer sides to athletes, it’s always been one of my favourite things in Saxon’s books. They’re not just hockey legends, they are people.
Hawke and Barrett’s love for one another shone through on the page, even though they weren’t even aware of how deep their feelings went for each other initially we could feel how much they meant to one another and how much they would do literally anything to support and help each other through the best days and the hardest.
Seeing overwhelm and depression written on the page was so cathartic for me as someone who suffers from both, the way Tai was able to work through this and with the help of Jensen, get to a place where he could breathe just a little bit easier made their story all the more better.
Not forgetting the character growth and development of Jensen and Kasen’s story. Going from strangers, to reluctant friends to father and son, was so magically written. It was okay that it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, it was realistic and you really, really rotted for all of our characters to grow together to get their happy endings.
5 stars, wonderful story, Beautifully written. So incredibly satisfying, I love when the reformed playboy becomes a lovesick fool!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Home Ice is the definition of a feel-good romance. It has all the warmth, humor, and heart that I've come to expect from Saxon James, making it an easy book to sink into and enjoy.
As someone who is usually not a fan of the surprise child trope, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it was handled here. The teenage son felt so believable with all the complicated feelings, frustration, and shutting people out that comes with suddenly having your entire world turned upside down. Nothing about his reactions felt forced, and I really appreciated that the story gave him space to work through those emotions.
What made it work so well is that the payoff felt earned. Watching the relationships develop and seeing everyone slowly find their footing together was incredibly satisfying. The emotional moments landed because the characters actually had to work for them.
I also have to give some credit to the side characters, because they truly helped make this story. They added humor, support, and personality, making the world feel richer and more lived in. They never felt like they were just there to fill space, they genuinely contributed to the heart of the story.
Overall, Home Ice is a sweet, uplifting romance that left me smiling by the end. A wonderful feel-good read with great family dynamics, lovable characters, and a surprisingly well-executed take on a trope I don't normally enjoy.
A huge thank you to Saxon James and her team for receiving an ARC and getting the opportunity to enjoy this story a bit earlier.
🌶️🌶️
Home Ice is the definition of a feel-good romance. It has all the warmth, humor, and heart that I've come to expect from Saxon James, making it an easy book to sink into and enjoy.
As someone who is usually not a fan of the surprise child trope, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it was handled here. The teenage son felt so believable with all the complicated feelings, frustration, and shutting people out that comes with suddenly having your entire world turned upside down. Nothing about his reactions felt forced, and I really appreciated that the story gave him space to work through those emotions.
What made it work so well is that the payoff felt earned. Watching the relationships develop and seeing everyone slowly find their footing together was incredibly satisfying. The emotional moments landed because the characters actually had to work for them.
I also have to give some credit to the side characters, because they truly helped make this story. They added humor, support, and personality, making the world feel richer and more lived in. They never felt like they were just there to fill space, they genuinely contributed to the heart of the story.
Overall, Home Ice is a sweet, uplifting romance that left me smiling by the end. A wonderful feel-good read with great family dynamics, lovable characters, and a surprisingly well-executed take on a trope I don't normally enjoy.
A huge thank you to Saxon James and her team for receiving an ARC and getting the opportunity to enjoy this story a bit earlier.
Review of advance copy received from Author
After reading Charming Puckboy, I was definitely intrigued by Lochie’s roommate, Hawke and when Saxon revealed he would indeed by getting his own story, I was all in!
This is a childhood best friends to strangers to lovers and was everything I wanted, it was a truly beautiful story! I already want to reread just writing this.
Jenson Hawke and Tai Barrett were inseparable growing up, they were leaving for their NHL rookie year when Tai ghosted Jenson. It’s been 10 years when a surprise phone call brings Jenson back to town. He has a son, a 14 year old son who just lost his mum.
This book tugged on my emotional heartstrings, my heart ached for Hawke, Tai and Kasen and their individual circumstances. Kasen is hurting and Hawke is so cluelessly patient as they navigate their growing relationship.
Then there is Jenson and Tai, I loved watching them fumble around each other, both wanting to make amends and then explore their attraction. They were so obviously each other’s favourite person and it was adorable.
I loved all their reminiscing, the lake confessions, the unwavering support they gave each other and both so desperately needed. Saxon handled their struggles and mental health with such care and honesty. The visit for Hawke’s teammates wedding was everything!
I absolutely adored the supporting cast, especially Tai’s Dad, Ben and Jenson’s, sister Gigi and u loved the way they all came together when they really needed it.
Home Ice releases on the 25th of June and I highly recommend this beautiful story.
This is a childhood best friends to strangers to lovers and was everything I wanted, it was a truly beautiful story! I already want to reread just writing this.
Jenson Hawke and Tai Barrett were inseparable growing up, they were leaving for their NHL rookie year when Tai ghosted Jenson. It’s been 10 years when a surprise phone call brings Jenson back to town. He has a son, a 14 year old son who just lost his mum.
This book tugged on my emotional heartstrings, my heart ached for Hawke, Tai and Kasen and their individual circumstances. Kasen is hurting and Hawke is so cluelessly patient as they navigate their growing relationship.
Then there is Jenson and Tai, I loved watching them fumble around each other, both wanting to make amends and then explore their attraction. They were so obviously each other’s favourite person and it was adorable.
I loved all their reminiscing, the lake confessions, the unwavering support they gave each other and both so desperately needed. Saxon handled their struggles and mental health with such care and honesty. The visit for Hawke’s teammates wedding was everything!
I absolutely adored the supporting cast, especially Tai’s Dad, Ben and Jenson’s, sister Gigi and u loved the way they all came together when they really needed it.
Home Ice releases on the 25th of June and I highly recommend this beautiful story.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was lucky enough to receive and eArc of this book and these are my thoughts on the book. Thank you Saxon James!!!
I loved this book! I have nothing but good things to say about Home Ice. This was a story about Jensen Hawke who we met in Charming Puckboy, who was Lachlan Kikishikin's roommate at the beginning of the book. Lachie is referenced in the book so it is on the same timeline as his book more or less. I was so happy to dive back into the Puckboy Universe with this book. This is a Hockey MM romance.
In this story Hawke, Lachie's roommate and teammate who is living his best life when he gets a call to come home to Vermont during the summer to discover he has a surprise 14 year old son whose mom died in a car accident. Upon getting back to his home in Vermont he encounters Tai Barrett, his former best friend who pulled away from him and they fell out of touch after something happened in Tai's life.
This story is a beautiful tale of Hawke trying to forge a bond with a reluctant son and rekindle his friendship with his ex best friend who he always wanted more.
The pacing was perfect. The characters were perfect and it was a fantastically written story.
This story is a HEA story which I loved and didn't feature a 3rd act break up either. I heavily recommend this book especially if you are a fan of the Puckboys series. This is a best friends to strangers to lovers romance.
I loved this book! I have nothing but good things to say about Home Ice. This was a story about Jensen Hawke who we met in Charming Puckboy, who was Lachlan Kikishikin's roommate at the beginning of the book. Lachie is referenced in the book so it is on the same timeline as his book more or less. I was so happy to dive back into the Puckboy Universe with this book. This is a Hockey MM romance.
In this story Hawke, Lachie's roommate and teammate who is living his best life when he gets a call to come home to Vermont during the summer to discover he has a surprise 14 year old son whose mom died in a car accident. Upon getting back to his home in Vermont he encounters Tai Barrett, his former best friend who pulled away from him and they fell out of touch after something happened in Tai's life.
This story is a beautiful tale of Hawke trying to forge a bond with a reluctant son and rekindle his friendship with his ex best friend who he always wanted more.
The pacing was perfect. The characters were perfect and it was a fantastically written story.
This story is a HEA story which I loved and didn't feature a 3rd act break up either. I heavily recommend this book especially if you are a fan of the Puckboys series. This is a best friends to strangers to lovers romance.
Review of advance copy
5 🌟
Jensen Hawke and Tai Barrett 🖤
Awwwww I love them!
Single dad is not always a favorite of mine, but I would do anything for these guys. Apparently, surprise single dad of a snarky teenager is where I enjoy single dad content 🤣🤣
I loved how they supported each other, and also were never afraid to push each other when they needed it.
I hated that they lost 10 years of friendship due to Barrett pushing Hawke away. But I also understood it. Barrett had SO much on his plate, but instead of leaning on his best friend he just shut it all away.
The snark, the sass, the banter! Yes please give me more. And not just the friendship between Hawke and Barrett, but the snark between father and son was perfect.
I really enjoyed the developing relationship between Hawke and Kasen. So many lost years, but Hawke was determined to be there now.
And that epilogue 🥹
.
.
.
.
‼️⚠️ Potential spoilers ⚠️‼️
Dynamic: MM — strict
Sharing? No
Cheating? No
Breakup? No
Sex scene with OM or OW No
‼️⚠️ Content ⚠️‼️
— small town
— (surprise) single dad
— youth hockey coach x NHL player
— best friends to strangers to lovers
— taking care of parent
— “baby”
— oral
— sex w condoms
— bareback
— rimming
— spicy photos
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Jensen Hawke and Tai Barrett 🖤
Awwwww I love them!
Single dad is not always a favorite of mine, but I would do anything for these guys. Apparently, surprise single dad of a snarky teenager is where I enjoy single dad content 🤣🤣
I loved how they supported each other, and also were never afraid to push each other when they needed it.
I hated that they lost 10 years of friendship due to Barrett pushing Hawke away. But I also understood it. Barrett had SO much on his plate, but instead of leaning on his best friend he just shut it all away.
The snark, the sass, the banter! Yes please give me more. And not just the friendship between Hawke and Barrett, but the snark between father and son was perfect.
I really enjoyed the developing relationship between Hawke and Kasen. So many lost years, but Hawke was determined to be there now.
And that epilogue 🥹
.
.
.
.
‼️⚠️ Potential spoilers ⚠️‼️
Dynamic: MM — strict
Sharing? No
Cheating? No
Breakup? No
Sex scene with OM or OW No
‼️⚠️ Content ⚠️‼️
— small town
— (surprise) single dad
— youth hockey coach x NHL player
— best friends to strangers to lovers
— taking care of parent
— “baby”
— oral
— sex w condoms
— bareback
— rimming
— spicy photos
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
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