When the Ice Melts
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When the Ice Melts (Contemporary Christian fiction — Climbing Higher series #1)
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Losing her dream...finding herself.
Competitive figure skater Addisyn Miles erased her older sister Avery from her life years ago--back when her skating career led only to bright horizons. But now her dreams have crumbled, and in a small town in the Canadian Rockies, she's seeking answers to the questions she never thought to ask. Surprisingly, though, those answers seem to point her toward a quiet man with a crushing secret…and toward the faith he once followed.
Meanwhile, heartbroken by her younger sister's rejection, Avery Miles left her lonely life in New York and headed toward the sunset. Now, she seeks to bury her painful memories in the peace of the Colorado mountains and the love of the God Who made them. But then she comes face to face with an unwelcome bit of her past--someone who poses the ultimate threat to Addisyn. Struggling against her own darkest fears, Avery must summon the courage to love her sister again…and to find her before it’s too late.
Compelling and captivating, When the Ice Melts is a story of broken dreams, desperate decisions, and the relentless grace of a love that never lets go.
Additional information
| Weight | 0.9375 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8.5 × 5.5 × 1 in |
Caitlin Miller –
A lovely book about pursuing your dreams and knowing when to let them go, understanding what love and forgiveness are, and the importance of family relationships and never giving up on those you love. When the Ice Melts has it all—faith, romance, and powerful truths.
Ailsa –
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. When the Ice Melts by Ashlyn McKayla Ohm is a contemporary, Christian inspirational novel about a young figure skater who must rediscover her lost identity when her hopes of going to the Olympics are dashed. It’s also the story of estranged sisters whose fierce love leads them to scour North America to find each other (this is my very favourite part of the book). And above all, it’s the story of a God whose love never gives up. This book is the first in the Climbing Higher series. I’ll aim to avoid spoilers in this review.
Ashlyn McKayla Ohm clearly knows her genre spectacularly well, able to dish out what we want and still make the story sweetly unique. When the Ice Melts is spiritually astute, illustrating spiritual warfare and the ways real people deal with it in a manner which is familiar and yet still highlights new planes of God’s power. The characters are compelling – it’s not every day you meet a character, like one in this book, who is a real-life superhero. And yet, the characters still feel grounded, feeling the things we feel and doing the things we do. The book also has the best kind of ending – the kind which keeps us hanging until almost the last minute. There is enough resolution time to complete the story beautifully without giving in to the temptation to tie off every loose end perfectly with a bow. Ohm is a skilled storyteller, leading us by a piece of string where she wants us to go. Multiple points of view are used brilliantly to build tension. The author’s passion for the outdoors is infectious and her personality shines through the pages.
There are some things I feel could have been improved about the story. Although the book was in general extremely relatable, some of the characters’ thoughts and feelings concerning their experiences didn’t feel completely authentic. The characters also took actions, at times, which I would expect to be thwarted by very significant challenges, however there was little explanation given as to why these challenges either didn’t materialise or were overcome. Additionally, I felt that one character’s eventual encounter with God was a little rushed; the character held certain misunderstandings about God, and I was surprised the truth didn’t require a little more unpacking for them. Phrasing could also be a bit strange or unclear, landscape descriptions were mildly repetitive in places, and I would suggest that some passages could be more immersive. These criticisms did not majorly impact on my enjoyment of the book.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a sensitive and cathartic story with strong family themes. The book is, in my view, appropriate for adults and teenagers, due to its very mild sex references. These themes are implied only; there is nothing explicit. I will be keeping an eye out for future books by this author and will look forward to Climbing Higher Book 2. I would like to thank Ashlyn McKayla Ohm for allowing me to read this advanced copy.
Stacey Ulferts –
When the Ice Melts is a captivating, inspirational story of God’s forgiveness and second chances. The descriptions of the scenery and towns made me feel like I was there. As a kid, I would watch figure skating on tv and marvel over the skaters’ abilities. Reading this book, I could see the figure skating in my head as I was reading the scenes. The characters were easy to love – except for the one who isn’t supposed to be, of course. This is a very engaging book and I can’t wait to read the next one.
Emily Hoisington –
“Losing her dream….finding herself.”
A gripping contemporary novel about identity, family and the power of redemptive love. When the Ice Melts features two sisters who share a dark past but are estranged due to choices that have torn them apart. After Addisyn, the younger sister, who is a competitive figure skater, loses the chance to compete in the Olympics, the soul crushing disappointment takes her on a journey that will reunite her with her sister and with her sister’s God- El Shaddai, the God of the mountains.
You would never guess this book is the authors debut novel- it’s engaging, inspiring and thoughtful with deeply emotional characters and strong settings. Her descriptions of Whistler Toronto and Estes Park, Colorado made me feel like I was there and the successes and struggles her characters experience make them relatable and all the more lovable.
I am so excited for this book to grace the world! Not only will it entertain and engage you but it will draw you deeper to the God who loves each and every one of us and yearns to give us a second chance. I can’t wait to read what comes next from this author!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Nathan Parker (verified owner) –
I just finished reading Ashlyn’s first novel tonight. I tried to break up the reading over a series of weeks reading a handful of chapters each week. I wanted the novel to feel similar to watching a mini series on TV which made for a fun experience. Ashlyn’s first novel is excellent, thrilling, and one wouldn’t expect it to be her first novel from how established the writing of it came together. It tells such a passionate message, the characters are relatable, and her descriptions of the towns are vivid! Since I’ve never had the opportunity to travel to the two main towns in which her book takes place, after I read the story, I went and consulted travel websites and webcams of the area. What’s interesting is the description my mind put together from reading her work checked out exactly in seeing the pictures in real! She was able to accurately and vividly describe the towns in detail where one feels as though they’re alongside the characters themselves. The only thing that could be better now is I need to read a sequel (whether that be in a volume two or even a series of blog posts) to find out what happens next for the characters! I plan to order a couple of these as gifts occasionally as well to bless others with Ashlyn’s writing.
Kim Moore (verified owner) –
I have been blessed and inspired by Ashlyn McKayla’s blog posts about creation and how God uses nature to speak to her and her followers as a result. So, I was eager to read her first Christian novel, “When the Ice Melts” because I knew it would have a message that inspired its readers. It did not disappoint. A message of hope, forgiveness, love and redemption. As a father of three adult daughters and grandfather of four grandchildren I have a different perspective than most readers. As it’s main character Addisyn is a young adult woman and the other three characters are in their 20s as well, it is perhaps directed more to that generation. Young adults who, like Addisyn, her sister Avery and Darius the Olympic champion, are all struggling with personal issues that haunt them and searching for love and forgiveness. The author seamlessly weaves their stories throughout the novel. I found myself hoping Addisyn and Darius would find peace by sharing “baring their souls” with each other and find peace and acceptance much sooner than they did. In the end, God’s love and redemption win out and it’s my hope that readers of this heartwarming work who share the same struggles will also find the same love, peace and acceptance. I look forward to Ashlyn McKayla’s next work. She is very gifted as a Christian novelist and has a bright future!
Shelley –
This was a good book, mostly about shattered dreams and finding God. while growing up and maturing as well. I enjoyed it. The characters were very well written and fleshed out.The scenery made you feel like you were there and seeing the towns. I will for sure look for more from this author, as this was my first book by her. The book was clean and any delicate subjects were handled with care. No real cliff hangers which I appreciate. “I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed. All opinions are my own.”