About to Bloom

On The Brink #1

by Ash Jackson

Mathéo “Théo” Beaubien is a Chinese French Canadian figure skater, former prodigy turned cautionary tale. After a very public collapse, he flees Toronto’s pressure cooker for his brother’s spare bedroom in Chicago—Avery Beaubien, a rising hockey star for the Chicago Frost. He’s supposed to get his life back on track. Instead, he wears indifference like armour, turns deflection into an art, and keeps everyone at arm’s length.

Derek "Sully" Sullivan is the guy everyone counts on—alternate captain, locker room leader, the steady hand in a crisis. But after a career-threatening injury and a broken engagement, steady is the last thing he feels. It’s his comeback season. He’s supposed to be finding his footing. Instead, he’s losing it to his teammate’s younger brother—a prickly figure skater with a bad attitude and walls a mile high.

Théo isn’t looking to be saved—especially not by his brother’s teammate. Falling for Derek was never part of the plan. But some walls are meant to be climbed and some people are stubborn enough to try.

A MM romance with hurt/comfort, bi awakening, opposites attract, redemption, found family, and love that shows up. Interconnected standalone, dual POV.

Genres: Sports, M M Romance, Hockey, Sports Romance, Romance, Found Family, Contemporary

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2026

About the author

Ash Jackson grew up just outside of Chicago’s Chinatown and now calls the suburbs home, where she lives with her high school sweetheart—now husband of over 16 years—and their three endlessly energetic boys. Ash is a lifelong storyteller and romantic at heart.

When she’s not writing, she’s usually baking things her kids won’t eat, knitting yet another scarf that she won’t wear, or binge watching six seasons of a show instead of committing to a three hour movie.

Reviews

[Lily S ☀️⛱️🐚🦀 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look at this cover! First of all that is what drew me in. I had to read the blurb. The blurb was excellent so I decided to take a chance on a new to me author and I am so happy I did!

Love is blooming on the ice and off! Both Mathéo and Derek are broken but they are putting themselves back together. Derek has been betrayed by his fiancé and best friend (this is at the start of the book so I don’t think it’s a spoiler) and Théo had a breakdown after a skating competition which was the result of many things. Théo needs to get away from Toronto so he moves in with his brother in Chicago. His brother Avery is on the Frost, Chicago’s hockey team.

When Derek and Théo meet there is definitely a spark but once Théo agrees to dog sit Derek’s sweet dog Aspen they get to know each other and something starts growing. The parts with Aspen were so fun!

Derek watched Théo practice at the ring in the mornings and he becomes so obsessed with him and his skating. He really fell fast and he was only ever with his ex-fiancé who was a woman. I loved that he had no qualms about his feelings for Théo. That was basically a non-issue.

Théo’s story is hard. He tries to stay aloof and he doubts that he can skate again and then he doubts he can be in a relationship without ruining it. He had such a great support system. The side characters were amazing and added so much to the story! Sabrina is the best best friend, Hana is so amazing, Avery is a supporting and loving brother and the other hockey players were great too! And shoutout to

Théo’s mom and new coach!

I think there are two reasons why I’m giving this 4 stars instead of 5. First was “daddy” being part of the intimate scenes. It took me by surprise and I didn’t think it fits. It’s not a huge part of the story though. The second thing was the last few chapters dragged a bit and when Derek was on the receiving end it was so rushed. Those are my only two reasons I am not giving this 4 stars but it’s so close to 5 stars!

I hope we get more stories in this world! Ash Jackson is a strong writer and I was impressed.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Theodore · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 19%

Derek's first chapter was pretty good. Not too much explicit exposition and showed good emotions. Honestly wished he blew up a bit more at his cheating partner, but that's just a personal pref.

Theo's was similarly decent. Showing his weird relationship with his brother plus his true feelings about moving was good. The blurb for the book has them mixed up though since it mentions Theo first, but the first chapter is actually about Derek, so I kinda got them mixed up there for a second.

Both of their following chapters unfortunately felt a bit too expodump-y. I feel like much of what Derek and Theo told us via internal monologue could've been better shown via action. Derek's insecurity over aging and being replaced could've shown up as he showed more fatigue/anxiety during a game after being benched in favor of Avery. Theo's history with his trainer, Renaud, could've been shown with a potential trainer showing themselves to be part of "Renaud's cult" instead of just having it come out via a random text message. His mental health struggles could've been shown through an aversion to hearing about Adderall or being overly attentive about what he ate (kinda happened, but should've been more emphasized). Literally anything to show these core problems rather than just vomiting it out via internal monologues.

Also wasn't really a fan of how much focus Avery got from both sides. Super weird having a side character get so much backstory. I know he's going to be the link that connects Derek and Theo but I don't think his dynamics with each of them needed to be fleshed out quite so hard since it just made the story seem like it was going to be about Derek and Theo's relationship with him rather than each other.

Who the hell was Hana and why was there a chapter wasted on introducing her when she only had tangential connection to the romance and MCs? Again, SO weird for the story to put focus on side characters and not on either Derek or Theo's personal problems or dynamic.

Derek just telling Theo about something he hadn't told anybody else was almost good, if it had been justified properly. I wasn't a fan of Theo just trauma dumping on this stranger (Derek) when he was supposed to be "keeping everybody at arm's length" as per the blurb, so them using the excuse that they bonded via their problems felt like it was contrived. Should've just used the excuse that it's easier to offload heavy things on strangers that don't have expectations of you to justify things. Them being drunk was kinda OK, but lazy particularly since this was literally their second time meeting and the story hadn't yet established a status quo between the two that needed alcohol to disrupt.

Theo saying he didn't know why he agreed to pet sit was similarly lazy. I absolutely hate it when characters pull the "omg, idk why I just acted completely out of character" schtick because more often than not, it's just the author choosing to make a character break their character without giving an actual reason for it. If someone acts contrary to what they're characterized as, it needs a clear reason for us readers even if it's not immediately obvious to the character themselves. I have absolutely zero idea why Theo offered to pet sit for a stranger that he explicitly said he was trying to avoid other than "because the author wrote it that way" and that's super annoying.

"Theo didn't give his trust away. He made you work for it." Uhh, how exactly did Derek make that value judgement on Theo's character when they'd literally only spoken like three times (and only once where the concept of trust even makes sense AND Theo did actually trust Derek enough to trauma dump)? Absolutely ZERO reason for Derek to think that he knew Theo enough to know that his trust was hard-earned.

I gave up when Derek's dog, Aspen, was apparently "easy to take care of" directly contradicting Derek's earlier statement that Aspen was uncomfortable around strangers. Why even say the dog had anxiety around people it didn't know ("eaten an entire throw pillow when I'd left him with a neighbor for four hours") if it wasn't going to be an issue for Theo (aka guy the dog only met once aka STRANGER).

It's a small thing to DNF on, but after all my small nits AND the "idk why I did that" thing Theo pulled, this book was already on thin ice. That contradiction was just the straw that broke the camel's back for me. 2 stars.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
This needs some editing. Sometimes it felt like the characters were repeating themselves again and again. Some descriptions felt unnecessary and out of place. Good story overall though.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was... fine. I'm sitting here not really knowing how to review this book because it left me with so few real feelings. It's not bad by any means, but it was kind of bland and generic. All the colour in this book comes from Theo, an Olympic-hopeful figure skater whose life is in a tailspin, so he moves from Toronto to Chicago to stay with his professional hockey player brother while he sorts himself out. There he meets Derek, alternate captain of his brother's team and all-round super nice guy. Derek has also come out of a rough patch, in which he ended a 10-year relationship with a woman and recovered from serious injury, but then becomes lowkey obsessed with his teammate's brother after meeting him once.

Theo is the black cat to Derek's golden retriever. He is prickly, proud and damaged. And Derek laps that shit up. I feel like Derek is a bit of a paper doll in that he is just like super kind and supportive, and his whole thing is being there for Theo, while having zero personality of his own. I found him profoundly boring. Their chemistry felt forced, and Derek's absolute lack of introspection regarding his sudden attraction to a man felt unrealistic. He was too perfect. He felt like a projection of what all people who feel unlovable want.

This may have worked better as a rom-com, but as it was dealing with some really heavy topics, it actually felt kind bleak and humourless. I don't know, I didn't dislike it, there's nothing offensive about it at all, but it just didn't light up the part of my brain that loves romance. Some fundamental spark was missing. I guess better luck next time.

[kaye taz]

ai slop

[Karen Alejandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

“So if you’re not playing the part of the martyr, then what is it?”
He held my gaze. “You get up,” he said simply. “That’s what I see. You fall and you get up. Over and over. And you do it alone.” He paused. “I don’t know what happened in Toronto. But whatever it was, you’re still here. Still fighting. That’s not volatile and complicated. That’s strength.”
My eyes stung and my throat felt tight and I had to look away.
“You snuck out this morning,” he said, quieter. “But I wanted you there when I woke up.”
“Derek,” I said. A warning.
“I know,” he said, like he understood exactly what he was risking. “I’m just answering your question.”
I wanted to stop overthinking everything. I gripped the top of the boards with both hands and pulled myself up, the barrier pressing into my waist as I leaned over to close the distance between us.
And then I kissed him.

------------------------------------

Had I fucked it up?
I pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes until I saw stars.
I reached for my phone.
My hands were shaking slightly as I typed. I deleted the message three times before settling on something that didn’t make me sound completely unhinged.
Are you okay?
I watched the screen. No read receipt. No typing bubble. Nothing.
I started typing again.
I’m not trying to save you.
I know that’s what you think this is. Some savior complex. Saint Sully trying to fix the broken figure skater.
But that’s not it.
I paused, trying to find the words. Trying to articulate something I barely understood myself.
You’re like a flower that hasn’t bloomed yet. All those petals folded in tight, protecting something beautiful underneath. I don’t want to force you open. I just want to be there when you’re ready. If you’re ever ready.
I stared at the message. It sounded stupid. Cheesy. Something that would definitely make him cringe. I sent it anyway.
I know you’re scared. I know you think you’re going to cut me with all those sharp edges. But I’m tougher than I look.
And for what it’s worth… tonight was the best night of my life. Even with the part where you ran away.
I set the phone down and stared at the ceiling again.
Aspen wandered in and jumped onto the bed, settling against my side with a heavy sigh. He looked up at me with those piercing blue eyes, reproachful, like he knew exactly whose fault it was that Théo had left.
“I know, buddy,” I murmured, scratching behind his ears. “I’m sorry.”
My phone stayed silent.
I tossed and turned all night.

---------------------------------------

Later, after Derek and Hana had said their goodbyes and Avery had gone to pull the Jeep around, my mom and I stood on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. The autumn air was crisp, carrying the smell of roasted duck from a nearby shop.
“Derek’s lovely,” she said, glancing around casually.
“Yeah, Hana’s great too.”
“Mm.” She adjusted her scarf. “He’s very attentive. Very… considerate.”
“He’s a good guy. Avery really looks up to him.”
“I’m sure Avery does.” She paused. “But I wasn’t talking about Avery.”
My heart stuttered. “Mom—” “You don’t have to tell me anything you’re not ready to share, little bao.” She finally turned to look at me and her eyes were soft. Warm. “I just want you to know that I see you. And whoever makes you happy—whoever helps you heal—I’m grateful for them.”
I couldn’t speak. My throat was too tight.
She reached up and cupped my face in her hands, the way she used to when I was small.
“You deserve good things, Théo,” she said. “Don’t forget that.”
Then Avery pulled up in his ridiculous Jeep, honking the horn, and the moment passed.
But I carried her words with me for the rest of the day, turning them over in my mind like a stone worn smooth by water.
You deserve good things.

--------------------------------------

“He asked me if it gets better,” Théo choked out between sobs. “And I told him it does. But what if I was lying? What if I’m not actually better?
What if I’m just… pretending well enough that people believe me?”
“You’re not pretending.” I pulled back just enough to look at him.
“Théo, look at me. You’re not pretending.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re here.” I wiped a tear from his cheek with my thumb.
“Six months ago you would’ve hidden away. Tonight you came to me. You let me see you. That’s not pretending. That’s progress.”
He stared at me, something raw and uncertain in his eyes.
“I almost didn’t come,” he admitted. “I sat on the Blue Line for half an hour telling myself I should just go to Avery’s. That I was being weak. That you didn’t sign up for this.”
“Sign up for what? Being there for you?”
“For the mess.” His voice was barely audible. “For all of this. The baggage. The breakdowns. The ex-boyfriend in the hospital. The—” “Théo.” I cut him off. “I’m not just here for the fun, easy parts. I’m here for all of it. The good days and the bad days and the days where you cry in my bed at 3 a.m. because you’re hurting. That’s what this is. That’s what I want.”
“Why?” The question came out broken, bewildered. Like he genuinely couldn’t understand.
“Because I love you.”
The words hung in the air between us. I hadn’t planned to say them— not like this, not now—but they were true. They’d been true for a while now but I was too scared to speak them into the universe.
Théo went very still.
“You don’t have to say it back,” I added quickly. “I’m not asking for anything. I just… need you to know you’re not a burden. Not to me.”
He didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then he buried his face in my chest and held on like I was the only solid thing in a world that kept shifting under his feet.
“I don’t deserve you,” he mumbled.
“That’s not true.”
“It feels true.”
“Feelings lie sometimes.” I kissed the top of his head. “I’ve got you, snowdrop. I’m not going anywhere.”
We lay there in the darkness, tangled together, Aspen a warm weight at our feet. Gradually, Théo’s breathing evened out. The trembling stopped.
His grip on my shirt loosened as exhaustion finally won.
“Derek?” His voice was sleepy and soft.
“Yeah?”
“I love you too.” A pause. “I’m terrified. But I do.”
My chest expanded with something too big to name.
“Get some sleep,” I whispered. “We’ll figure out the rest in the morning.”
He was asleep within minutes, his breath warm against my collarbone. I stayed awake a while longer, holding him, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest.
He’d come to me. He’d let me in. He’d said it back.
That was enough.
That was everything.

------------------------------------------

No sé cómo expresar lo que mas me gustó de este libro 😄
1 Patinaje artístico
2 todo por lo que pasó Théo de inicio a fin me pareció bien escrito, no se sintió falso. Sentí el respeto de la autora sobre los temas que se topan aquí. Yo no tengo experiencia de primera mano con todo e igual de alguna u otra manera me ví reflejada en Théo
3 La comida me hacía antojar jaja
4 🌶️, me ví reflejada en Derek 🫢
5 'Snowdrop' qué bonito, simboliza: new beginnings, hope, rebirth, and the capacity to triumph over challenges


Ahora lo que no me "cuadra"
1 la dinámica daddy/good boy 🤐 tienen 28 y 21 años osea
2 el POV es dual pero esta historia es de Théo. Ví poquísimo de Derek. No tiene un circulo de apoyo? Ese amigo que le traicionó era su único amigo? Petrov como que le aconseja pero de lejitos no más. El día de la cirugía de implante fue la única vez que le ví en un estado vulnerable y me gusta cuando Théo piensa 'ahora podré cuidarlo' o algo así
3 Hay una cosa con la edición, la palabra Maybe se repite ufff, y también cuando dice como 'smells like x and something that is just him'. También se repiten 2 conversaciones, 'That’s not pretending. That’s progress'. Osea ok, entiendo que continúen hablando del tema pero no suena natural repetir una idea palabra por palabra.
4 algo mas pero no me acuerdo ahora.

[Christine Holter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found a hockey book to equal my love of Hidden Scars and Poetry on Ice.

About to Bloom by Ash Jackson is about a hockey player and figure skater. They are both damaged and find healing with each other.



There is mental health rep here and it is done beautifully. The writing is excellent and there is even an adorable dog. What’s not to love?!



For those of you who like hockey romances I can’t recommend this one enough.



⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶️🌶️1/2 this is a delicious slow burn

[Fernanda Parente · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book from this author and I love it.
Derek is a hockey player wit some years in the game and a mentor for the younger players like Théo's brother.
Théo left figure skating and Toronto because the pressure was too big and ends up in his older brother spare room.
Derek had the perfect life until a broken relationship and a serious injury left him to almost start over again
When Derek and Théo met for the first time, Théo's indifference left Derek curious
But Derek is not a man that gives up and when his pet sitter has to stop, Théo volunteers to take care of Derek's dog when Derek is away for the hockey games.
The chemistry between them is amazing and I can't wait to follow more from this author
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A year ago, 28 year old Derek Sullivan’s life shattered when Mackenzie, his girlfriend of 10 years, cheated on him. His heart was not the only thing broken, he also lost his best friend Cooper too. In his efforts to unsee what he saw, he tripped over his dog, Aspen, on the stairs while rushing out of his house to escape from what he just witnessed, in his own home . Next, he woke up in hospital suffering from concussion and a badly damaged ACL unable to play for his beloved hockey team, Chicago Frost.

Now recovered and back on the Ice, he’s mentoring Avery who will eventually take over Derek’s spot when the time comes for him to step back. Chicago Frost is a tight knit friendly team so when Avery invites his brother Theo, an Ice Skater, to join the team for after game celebrations, Derek can’t take his eyes off Theo.

Twenty one year old Theo fled Toronto following a huge public humiliation when he collapsed after coming off the ice at an important skating event. The pain that Theo carried with him poured off the page and into me and had me crying for him. He is so locked up inside his head, untrusting of everyone, including his brother Avery. He didn’t stand a chance against the kindness and understanding shown him by Derek after a few such meet ups with team Chicago Frost.

Derek is a gem, a very confused precious diamond, who doesn’t understand the feelings he is experiencing when around Theo, it feels alien to him. Fate intervenes when Derek’s dog-sitter had to cancel the day before he had to leave for an away game. He’d been amazed when Theo stepped up and offered to come stay and look after Aspen.

After that first step events moved quickly. I loved Derek and the way he didn’t panic or deny his growing feelings for a man and I was wishing that Theo would let Derek melt the iceberg deep inside him. Theo’s story will break your heart, from his childhood feelings of neglect to the public downfall. The scars he hides, both internal and external. But he start showing it all to Derek, and Theo is starting to bloom under such delicate care. Derek just won’t let Theo throw him off without putting up a fight.

Progress was slow moving but at least it was happening, then the past catches up to Theo when his previous Coach calls him from Toronto.

I received an ARC copy of ‘About to Bloom’ by Ash Jackson who I hadn’t read before, I’m leaving this review voluntarily. They way she brought these two very diverse men together, like they were made for each other, one an out gay man, the other thinking he was straight. They had such supportive friends, Hana and Avery, Bradley and Kenzo,(Hana’s brother), Let’s not forget the wonderful Sabrina who is Theo’s best friend since they skated together as kids. Every guy needs a platonic friend like her in their corner.

I’m feeling left hanging in the breeze because I think that Avery needs a big awakening and he needs someone like Sabrina to do some a**kicking to wake him up and smell the rose that is the lovely Hana. Now they are a pair that I want to see Bloom next.

TW’S,very important that Trigger Warnings are read because there is a lot here that could be upsetting for those struggling with Mental Health issues, Eating Disorders, Drug Misuse, Self Harming. Take care of yourself first and foremost.

[Joshua Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a genuinely sweet read. The emotional core of the story really worked for me, especially the way it handled anxiety, burnout, eating disorders, perfectionism, and the terrifying vulnerability of letting someone actually care about you. Nico’s internal monologue especially felt painfully real at times in a way that hit harder than I expected.

The romance itself was very soft and comforting. Derek had this steady, grounding energy that balanced Nico’s overthinking perfectly, and I loved how patient he was without feeling unrealistically perfect. Their relationship had a lot of small moments that made it feel intimate instead of overly dramatic. The “I’m terrified. But I do.” scene absolutely got me.

I also really appreciated how emotionally open this book was. The author doesn’t shy away from showing ugly coping mechanisms, intrusive thoughts, or the exhaustion of constantly performing “I’m fine” for everyone around you. Some of Nico’s thoughts about body image and control honestly felt *way* too recognizable.

And despite the heavier themes, the book still had a really cozy vibe underneath it all. Figure skating and hockey romances always have this built in charm already, but this one especially felt warm and easy to sink into. It was emotional, cute, comforting, occasionally funny, and very bingeable.

That said, the main reason this landed at 4 stars instead of 5 for me was because Derek honestly felt like he existed in a vacuum at times. Nico’s emotional world, support system, and struggles were deeply explored, but Derek rarely seemed to have anyone in *his* corner outside of Nico. I kept waiting for more insight into his friendships, family dynamics, or personal support system, and it made the relationship feel slightly unbalanced by the end. It almost read more like one deeply developed POV with a love interest attached rather than two equally fleshed out lives intersecting.

Also shoutout to the line “You’ve just been too busy being a trainwreck to appreciate it,” because that one hit me like a truck.

Overall, a really heartfelt romance with lovable characters, strong emotional moments, and enough tenderness to make me burn through it in basically one sitting. Solid 4 stars from me.

[Vikka's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect pairing

One of my favorite booktok besties @Tiff 📚Reads & Rambles📚 recommended this book to me (& everyone) & gosh was she right!
This is a black cat/golden retriever pairing which is one of my favorites. The thing I love about this broken boy, Théo, with his claws & teeth, he does the work himself on his healing journey and happens to fall in love. Derek is a big 'ol golden retriever NHL hockey player on his own healing journey. Together they heal and also grow emotionally, in their rigorous careers & as a couple.
I have to say it’s been a long time since I've had this many highlights in a book. The writing was excellent and so moving.
An easy 5-stars from me.

[Hallie Foran · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 33%

I was really liking this book. There was some of the best prose in a romance book I had seen so far. But then a few things tripped me up as it maybe being AI written or proofread by AI. Originally I kept reading because I felt so bad if it wasn’t AI and the author was receiving unnecessary criticism. But then I looked into the Author. She has published 4 books in less than a year, and every profile of her (good reads, Amazon, her website, and her Instagram) has the same headshot, which seems drawn or something? But there is no art credit given. On her Instagram all posts have the same template of a bit of the writing that is highlighted with art with no credit. I would love to operate on a “innocent until proven guilty” basis but it robbed be the wrong way and I felt uncomfortable moving forward. Please make your own decisions. I would love to return to the book if it is proven to be written by a person and I’ll fix this review.

[Sydney Schroeder · Rating 2 out of 5]

An affectionate 2 stars

[Ana Georgieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story of love and healing!

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up

I’m an absolute sucker for a hurt/comfort done right and, boy, was this done right! Théo’s character, the broken, sharp-edged boy, was so compelling! I was rooting for him from the start. I love it when the tender, sweet, caring one (Derek is a treasure) finally breaks through to the black cat’s heart and gets to have him. Théo was an absolute ice prince we got to see melt with love.

There might have been some inconsistencies, some repetitions in the writing, but then there were other bits so beautifully written it was impossible not to highlight so I’d go back and experience again. And the story progression was so compelling. I kept picking this up at any spare moment. Truly beautiful! Part of me hope we get a second book to cover the Olympics journey. Perhaps we could see Derek become captain! There’s so much more potential for these two I feel! Excited to see what On The Brink Book 2 brings <3

[Staygold · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slowly being pulled out from the reading slump.
The hockey X figure skater trope is what pulled me in initially, along with the ED rep. Around halfway through the story plateaud but it was fine.
Darek is so sweet and a genuinely good person. Theo is all those hard edges but just needs someone to feel safe around. Idk how I feel about them long term but they’re cute.
As soon as Theo called Derek daddy though and dared called him snowdrop - immediate star reduction.There’s a 7 year age gap that’s not a big deal. Both just no.
Fav side characters were Nico (I want a book about him!!) and Avery. Shoutout to Dareks other teammates and Sabrina.
There was some repetition and also I felt that some things in the beginning were dropped w no explanation such as theos ED behaviours, but over all was a cute sweet story.

[Jine · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I’ve read by this author and I am so so impressed! This story was so so good! We have Derek who walked in on his girlfriend sleeping with his best friend and he falls and tears his acl
Theo a figure skater is the brother of his teammate who escaped Toronto when it all became too much for him
He offers to dogsit for Derek and a friendship blooms but not in a easy way
Theo is very guarded about his secrets his mental health and about his career but Derek someone who has never been with a man is persistent he watches him practice he gives him space and the most important thing he’s there
Theo needs someone to see beyond the broken beyond the scars and when Derek kisses every one of those little scars I melted
Theo let Derek see the things that he thought was broken about him and Derek didn’t flinch once
This story was just absolutely beautiful it had everything truly it has the spice which was so good but it had the vulnerability between them
Healing each other Theo letting down the walls and letting Derek be the anchor he needed
Oh and the nickname? Snowdrop! Are you kidding me! It was just perfection truly

[Sarah☀️ Somerville]

DNF @ 9% - Not saying this wasn't written by a real person - if it was, it was. But the writing style used is the same as in AI books, and I can't read that.

[HappilyEverReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book on the recommendation of a book bestie, and I am so glad I did! Theo and Derek's story completely captured my attention from the very beginning. This was one of those books that was incredibly easy to get lost in, and I really enjoyed the author's writing style. The pacing, character development, and emotional depth all worked so well together.

Theo fled Toronto and the world of competitive figure skating, arriving in Chicago broken and unsure of who he was outside of the sport. One of my favorite things about this book was how gradually the author revealed Theo's past. It felt like we were getting to know him right alongside Derek, uncovering the layers of pain, insecurity, and trauma he carried. Theo was guarded, prickly, and a little bit bratty at times, but he was also incredibly vulnerable. His struggles with perfectionism, self-image, and his complicated relationship with skating made him such a compelling character, and I found myself rooting for him every step of the way.

Then there's Derek—the sweet, patient, dependable alternate captain of the Chicago hockey team and mentor to Theo's older brother, Avery. Derek is immediately drawn to Theo and can't stop thinking about how beautiful he is, despite always considering himself straight. What starts with Derek hiring Theo to watch his dog slowly develops into something so much deeper.

I absolutely adored Derek. Even after being deeply hurt by his ex, he remained open to love and willing to follow his feelings wherever they led. I loved that he never panicked about being attracted to a man—he simply accepted it and focused on what made him happy. Watching him fall for Theo was genuinely swoon-worthy. Derek made Theo feel safe in a way no one else had, and his steady presence slowly chipped away at all the walls Theo had built around himself. He was patient, understanding, and endlessly supportive as Theo worked through his past and learned to trust again. Every time Derek showed up for Theo when he wasn't expecting it, my heart melted. He truly embodied the phrase "if he wanted to, he would."

While the story focused a little more on Theo's character growth and healing than Derek's, and I would have loved to learn even more about Derek, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book at all.
The emotional connection between these two was beautiful, but their physical chemistry was just as strong- and the spice was excellent! I loved how naturally their relationship developed and how much trust they built together. And their nicknames for each other—Snowdrop, Daddy, Saint Sully—absolutely melted me.

This book was also surprisingly funny. The side characters brought so much humor and energy to the story, and the banter had me smiling and laughing throughout. The friendships and team dynamics added so much warmth and made the world feel incredibly lived in.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. It was heartfelt, funny, romantic, and full of characters I couldn't help but root for. I ended up reading it in a single sitting because I simply didn't want to put it down. If you enjoy hockey/figure skater romances, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, hurt/comfort, fantastic banter, and low-angst stories with a lot of heart, I highly recommend picking this one up.

[Michelle Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I LOVED this book so much. I'm not sure how it landed on my radar, but hockey player x figure skater has got to be one of my favorite pairings! We have Theo our figure skater; all hard edges and broken pieces, moving to Chicago away from his figure skating world that broke him. He meets Derek, our golden retriever hockey player, who's mentoring Theo's brother and on the back side of the worst year of his life. The hurt/comfort of this brought all the feels for me and the way Derek doesn't try to "fix" Theo, but supports him and stands in his corner and SEES him - especially the broken pieces - was just so well done. The focus is alot more on Theo - def check the triggers because there are several that are discussed on page and a couple of times that I had a good little cry while reading some of Theo's story. I love the trajectory of their relationship - strangers, to a prickly friendship as Theo dog sits for Derek, to lovers as Theo lets his walls down and lets Derek in. The lack of panic from Derek as he comes into his bi awakening was much appreciated. So many little parts that made for the overall story. When Derek falls down a google rabbit hole watching Theo's old performances, learning about figure skating was a next level layer. The layer of friends around them - teammates, their partners and family, their friends was perfect found family as Theo re-built his life. (also, tho I haven't read prior books from this author, characters from her previous series are here and I'll at least be going back to read Bradley and Kenzo's story, maybe the others tho I'm not reading alot of F/M romance right now but highly recommend Bradley and Kenzo's story because Kenzo is Derek's teammate and they are in and out of the story alot and I was dying to know more about them!) Anyone as a figure skating fan and learned Alysa Lui's story will recognize some of those same themes - learning to skate for the love of it in her own way - in Theo's story. I know a few reviewers have touched on the "daddy" usage a bit, while it's not normally one of the kinks I enjoy, I really loved how it was done (there is an age gap - Theo's 21 and Derek 28). It was like it was an accidental discovery. Theo was talking to Derek's dog and referred to Derek as "daddy" and unlocked a new kink for him; not over used - just felt like it flowed. And we can touch on Derek's pet name for Theo - snowdrop! Yes there might have been some swooning on my lunch break when Derek explained why! Overall, I DEVOURED this story and it's going on my "best of 2026" reading list!

[Tab_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 2-3🌶️
MOOD: emotional, sad, tense, funny
TROPES: hurt/comfort, teammate's brother, bi-awakening
GENRES: sports romance, lgbtq+ romance
FAV QUOTE: "I don't know why I'm telling you." He held my gaze. Not pity - something quieter. Recognition, maybe. The look of someone who'd also had the ground shift beneath him and was learning how to walk.

MAIN CHARACTERS: Mathéo "Théo" Beaubien and Derek "Sully" Sullivan

I devoured this book - granted I wasn't feeling well and was in bed pretty much all day - but still, it held my attention and it was both heartbreaking and enjoyable. I thought I was over hockey romance but it turns out I just needed a figure skater with a bad attitude (a side character said it not me) thrown in and for it to NOT be a coming out story. Derek is overfriendly and Théo doesn't trust anyone so their relationship starts off a little rocky but how it evolves is a great read. This definitely falls on the sappy side for some of the interactions between Sully and Théo but I was here for it. Both characters have had their lives fall about and neither one is trying to save the other - that's refreshing. I was sad when I got to the end of the book - cause there was no more to read. This was my first Ash Jackson book and I'd read more.

I'm putting this in neutral territory but it was actually something I liked this time around so I guess it depends on my mood - there is very little hockey playing in the book. That being said, there is fairly realistic game/travel schedule which affects the characters and plot. But the focus isn't hockey or even figure skating even though those are main components of Théo and Derek's lives.

Lastly, this is really small but it bothers me and can age a book or take a reader out of it - and if you don't believe me, read a book from 2016 when they reference Skype. Ubered is used as a verb, which I know is something we say but if you need to reference a specific company then just go with called an Uber and iPads are frequent. I know they've been around for awhile but specific brands for devices can also be odd to read about - it could have just been a tablet.

CW: sexual content, eating disorder, self-harm, drug abuse, suicide attempt (side character), medical content
DISCLAIMER: I received an advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[A E Harper · Rating 2 out of 5]

as sweet, low stakes romance

Despite the heavy depiction of mental health issues and fairly major accidents, this isn’t a high stakes story, because from quite early on the couple make the right choices the difficult choices to move forward.

Here are no surprises, no grim twists, no last minute wrecking ball manoeuvres which need to be resolved. This is a hard earned HEA, but you’re not forever getting frustrated with the stupid decisions that they are making.

Check the TWs as this does show a character who has been through it, and still going through it, but from quite early on in the narrative they are making the decisions to face the problem, and not reject help.

There are a few moments of repetitive phrases, and the spice scenes are entirely predictable and very similar to lots of other similar romances. Still sweet though.

Still not sure the “Daddy” thing works for me!!!

One frustrating thing about this book, is when you realise that it is number two in a series. Ok, so it says it’s number 1, but Bradley and Kenzo feature in a previous book, which is number three of a different series! Like, what?!

That’s just annoying, avoidable, and unnecessary. What’s that all about then?!

However, outstripping all of my other issues with the book, is the behaviour of the dog, Aspen. This could have been done so well, and would have made a really cute character in their relationship. However, Aspen’s character voice is inconsistent within itself and the dog behaves in a way no dog like this would. If you want a dog, you have to include the fact that they will not ignore the arrival home of their primary carer, no matter what hour, no matter how tired. You have to accept all the things about being a dog parent and write those into your story. Not just have a few cute moments and then a few uncharacteristic behaviours to serve the scene you want to write. Write it with a a real dog, not a foil, or a stage dog!

Justice for Aspen!!!

[Joanne Dewick · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

About to Bloom by Ash Jackson was such a heartfelt and emotional read. This figure skater/hockey player romance delivered the perfect mix of healing, vulnerability, and romance, and I found myself completely invested in Théo and Derek’s journey from start to finish.

What I loved most was the emotional depth of the story. Théo’s struggles with the fallout from his public collapse and the pressure that came with his skating career felt raw and authentic, while Derek’s own recovery from heartbreak and injury made him the perfect steady presence in Théo’s life. Their relationship developed at a pace that felt natural, allowing trust and genuine connection to grow before the romance fully blossomed. The hurt/comfort elements were especially well done and created some truly touching moments.

Derek was an absolute standout character for me. His patience, kindness, and unwavering support made him impossible not to love. Watching Théo slowly let down his walls and learn that he deserved happiness created some of the most memorable and heartfelt scenes in the book. The found family aspects, supportive side characters, and even Aspen the dog added warmth and charm to the story.

While the story occasionally felt a little repetitive in places and I would have loved to see more focus on Derek’s personal journey, those minor issues didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the overall experience. The emotional moments hit hard, the romance was sweet and believable, and the themes of healing and self-worth were beautifully woven throughout.

If you enjoy sports romances with plenty of heart, a wounded figure skater, a hockey player who is basically a walking green flag, and a romance built on patience, trust, and support, About to Bloom is definitely worth picking

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theo - our stunning little figure skater has been through a lot, he has a lot of mental health struggles to work through so moves to Chicago to stay with his brother Avery who plays for 'The Frost' ice hockey team.

He's trying to navigate life at the moment whilst taking a break from figure skating and trying to work through his trauma.

Derek - the most beautifully kind man ever - who has also had his fair share of sh*t and is recovering from a pretty traumatic injury - which he got minutes after finding out his fiance was cheating on him with his best friend! - is trying to get back to where he was in his hockey career before the incident.
His dog sitter is otherwise engaged for a while so he is on the lookout for a new sitter for Aspen his beautiful dog.

Theo volunteers to dog sit for him and their relationship starts from there.

And my god it was the sweetest relationship to watch (read) blossom!

Derek is just the biggest green flag that ever flagged!
I adore how patient and kind he was with Theo, he saw him at his best and his worst and didn't treat him any differently or look at him any other way than with admiration.
He is such a free spirit and took his emotions and feelings totally in his stride. So open and refreshing to read.

The YouTube playlist 😫❤️

Flying 3 hours to watch Theo perform for 4 minutes.... i repeat, 3 hours for 4 minutes!!
Find yourself a man like Derek Sullivan 🤌🏼

And Theo - my heart! The work he put into getting better, the struggles he fought hurt my heart but I was so happy for him for getting back up again and working on himself to come back from rock bottom.

This book made my heart happy! ❤️

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually pretty good! Definitely one of the better indie romances I've stumbled upon recently.

I thought everything was well done here: characters, romance, mental health etc. I liked how Theo acknowledged that getting better took work, and that he still had bad days. I also liked how Derek was there for him while acknowledging his growth as well (bi awakening). The hurt/comfort was well done and I was here for it.

I also thought the side characters were well done. Everyone had their own things going on and no one felt one-dimensional to me. I think, as usual with romance stories, some of the dialogue can get a little hammy but overall nothing stuck out to me as being ~too far~ into the corny lane.

The best part for me though, was that there was no plot line revolving around homophobia. Everyone knew Derek was previously with a woman, and him being with Theo was treated in the same way. All of the emotional beats had nothing to do with discrimination thank god! I enjoyed how their relationship developed with trusting each other and Derek being a giant green flag. No relationship drama! That's what we like to see!

This story definitely had some deep topics so pay attention to the warnings if you have sensitivities but I liked this one. Sad it was over so soon and sad we might not get more of them but I thought everything came together.

[Karen T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book—it hooked me quickly and held my attention throughout. Théo and Derek are layered characters, but the emotional focus leans toward Théo’s healing. After a traumatic period in his life and career, he’s learning how to exist again, while Derek—already past the worst of his own heartbreak—brings a quiet steadiness that grounds him.

The story feels balanced, moving naturally between soft, intimate moments and heavier emotional beats. There’s a strong sense of growth, especially for Théo, as he slowly rebuilds himself. The messiness of it all feels very human, and Derek gives him the space and support to figure things out without pressure.

Derek adds a lot of charm—his sudden fascination with figure skating is endearing, and when things heat up, there’s a spark that makes their chemistry feel natural.

Théo’s arc carries the most weight. His hesitation around skating and vulnerability makes his progress feel genuinely earned.

The emotional depth, sports backdrop, and mix of sweetness, angst, and heat made this story really stick with me. This was my first Ash Jackson book, and it definitely won’t be my last.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Star

This was my first book by Ash Jackson, and it was such a great read. I do plan on pick up more of their work.

About to Bloom is about Mathéo goes by Théo. Théo is a world known figure skater who goes through a collapse in life and decides the best move for him is to move from Toronto to Chicago. He moves in with his brother Avery. This move was made in the decision to get his life back on track. However, he is very deflective and turns away anytime friends or family tried to help, keeping everyone at an arm's length. Then we have Derek, who is an alternate captain for the Chicago Frost, the same team that Théo brother plays for. Derek is the guy you can always count on, always willing to help someone even if it were to hurt him. Derek was previously engaged to his longtime girlfriend, which ends badly causing him to be closed off to love.

These two both are not looking for love, but in the end, they cannot resist the feelings they have for each other.

I really enjoyed that this was not an insta love story, their relationship took time to develop, and that there was a lot of trust and growth between them.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up.

I loved this book! Read it practically straight through. I've been on a bit of a reading lull and this book broke it.

The plot was realistic and different. You could tell the author knew exactly what the locations they described looked, sounded, and smelled like. Everything just felt very real. The locations and the MCs.

Watching the way Derek responded to Theo with support and patience was everything good in the world. Watching Theo strive to recover filled my heart and I was rooting for him so hard.

My only complaint was I wish the story had been a little tighter. An MC would use the exact same language to describe something in a different conversation and some conversations felt like repeats of ones before. Nothing major, but it did cause a slight record skip in my brain.

As a heads up, for people who love it or hate it, although it's not entirely smooth sailing- the angst between Theo and Derek is quite low. The focus was more on Theo healing.

Anyway, the book was wonderful and just what I needed -and now I'm off to read Bradley and Kenzo's story. They were fabulous secondary characters.

[TipsyMermaid GR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Théo comes to Chicago broken by his past. He asks "Will the spring come again? (He'd) stopped believing it would. But yes. It was about to bloom."
Théo is a world renowned figure skater who was living mired in a toxic world. He crashed out mentally and physically and he ran to his brother's place in Chicago, a whole country away from his breaking point in Toronto. Théo's brother plays for the Chicago NHL team, The Frost, and Théo asks for ice time at their rink. The very first day of Théo's ice time Derek walks in and is instantly captivated.
Derek is Théo's brother's mentor on the team and is 7 years older than Théo.
Oh, and he’s straight.
Up until last year he had been with the same woman since high school. Calling the end of the relationship bad is an understatement. Derek starts watching Théo skate every day, and on road trips watches videos of his competitions.
They fall into lust and then they fall into love.
This one is medium spicy, i'm giving it 🌶🌶🌶3/5 chilies on the spicy scale.
The end of this book is emotional and satisfying. The HEA and epilogue are fantastic!

I hope it comes out in audiobook. I would love to listen to a duel or duet narration.

[yuro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so incredibly happy I decided to read About to Bloom, it was such a fantastic book!

Ash Jackson really delivered a beautiful story here. It had the perfect balance of intense emotional moments and pure sweetness, and the hurt/comfort aspect completely melted my heart. The pacing was great and the plot was so easy to sink into, making it almost impossible to put down. Théo and Sully (Derek) have easily become one of my favorite couples; they had me blushing and kicking my feet the entire time I was reading. I just loved watching Sully refuse to give up on Théo, and Théo’s journey to finding himself again was so beautifully done.

If you love MM sports romance, this one has the best mix of hockey, figure skating, the teammates-brother trope, and a really well-done bisexual awakening. This was an absolute 5-star read for me and I’m so excited to dive into the rest of the On The Brink series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written, with one glaring error

A well written story. A bit over-indulgent, which I seem to be saying a lot about the majority of MM romance/erotica I’m reading lately. The epilogue was perhaps the finest last chapter of a book I’ve read in quite a while.

All of this was marred and ruined by something that could have been avoided if the author had bothered to research and talk to gay/bi men about our intimacy practices. “Scissoring” is absolutely NOT something that gay/bi men do to prepare a partner for anal intercourse. The mere idea is absurd.

I say this not as a dig toward female writers of MM romance/erotica, but in hopes they will research before writing this kind of insanity - I have rarely read an MM romance/erotica written by a male writer where “scissoring” comes into play during intimacy. There are a few female writers who get it right - Rachel Reid, for example.

Do better, Ms. Jackson.