Book: Home Ice by Saxon James
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 5/5
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!