Skip to main content

Review: From Ice to Home - The Heart of a Ranger #1

From Ice to Home book cover on blue background

I had the opportunity to enjoy this series a while back and thought I'd feature it in time for the new hockey season. Amid hockey scandals and misdeeds, how comforting is it to know that we can always turn to God. It is also so refreshing to read books that place sports and romance under God, not above it.

From Ice to Home by Ann J. David, the first in the The Heart of a Ranger series, introduces us to characters who are a little messier but just as devoted in their faith.

Please note on the author's website where these books can be found.

Book Synopsis

Some love stories don’t start over—they pick up where they never truly ended.

Hannah Sanders: I thought I had my life all figured out—graduate school, a dream job, and finally stepping out from the shadow of my small-town upbringing. But running into Lucas Walker, my high school sweetheart and now the star player for the NY Rangers, in the middle of Las Vegas turned my carefully laid plans upside down. One impulsive moment, one ocean of emotions, and now...we’re married.

Lucas Walker: Hockey has been my life for the past five years—a fast-paced, all-consuming escape that helped me forget the girl who shattered my heart. Or so I thought. Seeing Hannah again, in the most unexpected place, brought every feeling I buried rushing back. One night, one decision, and suddenly, we’re navigating a life I’d only dreamed of having with her.

From small-town South Carolina to the bright lights of New York City, Hannah and Lucas navigate the highs and lows of an unexpected marriage. Amidst rekindled feelings, viral headlines, and family complications—they must face what they mean to each other, and if love and faith can guide them through this second chance. Their story is one of heart, healing, and holding on to the hope of forever.

Source: Author's Website

Book Thoughts

What happens when things are done backwards from what has always been intended? That's the question that Hannah and Lucas grapple with as their relationship drastically changes in the blink of an eye. I appreciate that this book unpacks what that process looks like, especially as the characters want to honour God but are struggling with how to do so. It addresses the messiness that comes from being human, impetuous, and lacking in self-control. It also acknowledges how God is ever faithful, waiting for us to return to Him when we feel we may be too far or distant from His Love.

As a result, not only are Hannah and Lucas endearing characters who choose to walk in faith over fear, it's evident that they are people of prayer. Their heartfelt petitions regarding their relationship and future are a touching reminder that it's vital to have our hearts right with God. If you enjoy stories that point to how God can rescue and restore us for His glory no matter the circumstances we put ourselves in, From Ice to Home is a hockey romance that takes past regrets and turns them into future testimonies.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍

Book Quotes

Father, I hear You. I look toward Megan, really look at her. She’s alone here, not really talking to anybody else, glued to her phone. I’m not sure what to pray, so I go with what I feel led to say. Trying to clear my mind, I try to pray for Megan.  I have no idea who the woman beside me is, Father. But I know that she’s important to You, and that’s all that matters. That’s all that should matter. So I ask that You reveal Yourself to her in some way. Show her where she can find all she’s ever looked for in her life. Show her that she’ll only ever find life, love, and comfort in You, in Jesus our Savior. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Christian Book Review Programs

Over time, I've been on the hunt for Christian book review programs that readers can join. As a result, I've been able to compile the following list which may be of interest if you are seeking review copies of Christian books. This list mostly applies to print and ebooks, although some publishers offer audiobooks as well. If further information is available for any of the publishers below (or any missing publishers), please let me know as I am happy to update this list—thank you! Please note that you can also search for these publishers on NetGalley and other review sites in case there are no review programs available to you or you don't qualify for one 😊 List last updated: September 23, 2026 Christian Publishers 10ofThose Availability: U.S., Canadian, and U.K. residents Format: Only books published by 10ofThose qualify for review requests so as to avoid impeding with other Christian book review programs Genre: Christian non-fiction, children's books Email for availabi...
10 comments
Read more

Didactic Scenes

I love researching and recently looked into Harlequin's Love Inspired line's submission guidelines to find out if there were certain parameters in the stories they accept and publish. One of the lines that stood out to me was: "Mandatory faith element that is integral to story and shows rather than tells, avoiding didactic, preachy tone or doctrinal language." This had me thinking about one of the cinematic attributes I've heard over the years between British and American movies and television, where one tends to show the story and have people reason it out, whereas the other can get into further detail, eliminating the need to piece things out as much when watching a story.  I wish I could find the source for this thought as it's shaped how I view and compare a lot of mysteries and dramas (I confess that I may be a tad too shy for British comedies)—broadly speaking, of course. As a result, I can understand how didactic language isn't always pleasant to s...
4 comments
Read more

Review: Pride and Practicality

After reading  Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham , I've been absolutely hooked on how she writes a Regency story! Pride and Practicality follows Simon Reeves' sister, Arianna, as she returns home to her family after escaping a scandal. I love her redemption story and am so thrilled that I've also been able to meet my favourite clergyman, Thomas Bridges. Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis In a world ruled by reputation, compassion may be the most scandalous act of all. Arianna Reeves knows how quickly admiration can turn into exile. One poorly placed trust, one disastrously charming rake, and she is no longer society's darling—but its favorite cautionary tale. Now returned home—uninvited and unmistakably whispered about—Arianna is determined to make amends with her estranged family and do something useful with her thoroughly ruined life. Even ...
Post a Comment
Read more