About to Bloom: A MM Figure Skater x Hockey Player Romance (On The Brink Book 1)

I am a huge fan of both Ash MM books. You are instantly connected to the energy, the joy, the struggles and the truths of each and every main character she writes. And the supportive cast is just as lively and real too. You are never without a sense that they all are apart of a community. It's an element you forget is valuable until you realize it doesn't happen often. I binged this book in a day, doing nothing else and it was worth it. My heart strings were pulled on by the struggles of one character and the joy to see him reemerge after setbacks, not perfect, but better than he was, a tale of humanity where we do our best, fall, struggle, give up and through something/someone or another force, we find the light, the hope and the tenacity to continue. His love interest so supportive and is the steady rock we all wish for in our lives, in one way or another. Say yes, read the beautiful story that is About to Bloom.

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…

About to Bloom is a beautiful, heartbreaking story about healing, finding yourself, and falling in love, and omg did it deliver! Some books are written in such a way that reading them can heal parts of you that you didn't know were broken. Going through this journey with Théo, that is absolutely what happened to me. By the time I got to end of this story and watched him come alive for the first time in years, I was ugly crying and filled with so much joy I could barely contain myself. I literally just sat and stared at the wall, consumed by everything I was feeling, in all the best ways. Derek is the greenest flag to ever fly and the biggest and best support that Théo didn't know he needed. The way they fell in love was so quiet and tender, it felt as easy as breathing. Please read this book! It's 1000% worth it! ❤️