Fifteen years ago, my best friend found salvation at the Triple Creek Ranch, transforming from an angry foster kid into a hockey legend. Now, with his adoptive father’s death forcing him home, Ryker’s trading his hockey stick for ranch life—and I’m not sure my heart can handle having him this close again.
I’ve spent the past decade raising my troubled nephew alone while building my career as an audiobook narrator. When my boy needs a fresh start, Ryker offers us sanctuary at the ranch. But living under the same roof with the man who’s always owned my heart ignites feelings I’ve tried hard to bury.
Between helping manage a struggling ranch, watching my nephew find his way, and dealing with the shadows of Ryker’s fame, we discover our connection is stronger than ever. But when threats from his past surface, we’ll have to decide if our second chance is worth fighting for.
(ARC Review)
I’m not even going to pretend I was emotionally prepared for this book because I wasn’t.
Safe Haven opens with Willow doing what she’s always done, putting everyone else first. After her sister abandons her son, Aiden, Willow steps in without hesitation and becomes his sole guardian. She isn’t just his aunt—she’s his mom, his safe place, his constant. And while she loves him fiercely, she’s exhausted, overwhelmed, and terrified of failing the one person who means everything to her.
Aiden is hurting. He’s angry. Acting out. Struggling in school. Carrying trauma he doesn’t yet know how to process. Watching Willow try to hold him together while quietly falling apart herself had my heart from page one.
So when Ryker James, her childhood best friend and former NHL star, comes home to Triple Creek Ranch after the loss of his adoptive father, Willow sees an opportunity. A chance for Aiden to find stability. Structure. A positive male role model. A place that once saved Ryker might be able to save her nephew too. And from that moment on, I was completely invested.
Let’s talk about Ryker, because… wow. Backwards hat. Gray sweatpants. Tattoos. Worn-in jeans. Former NHL star turned ranch owner. Protective. Loyal. Emotionally available. A fixer who just wants to take care of his people.
“He smirks and twists his baseball cap so it’s setting backward, and I’m pretty sure my vagina just did the hula.”
Ryker grew up with neglect, anger, and abandonment, and found his salvation at Triple Creek Ranch. Ray and his family gave him a home, structure, and love when he needed it most. That foundation shaped him into the man he became. One who is steady, dependable, and endlessly devoted to the people he loves.
What makes Ryker so special is that he doesn’t just love Willow and Aiden—he shows it in everything he does. Whether it’s standing up for Aiden, holding Willow through thunderstorms, building her a recording booth in his home so she can keep working, or simply being present, he gives his whole heart. He’s possessive without being controlling. Protective without being overpowering. Strong without being emotionally closed off.
“She’s mine. If she needs time to come around to that conclusion, that’s fine. I’ll prove to her that we’re meant to be together. Because no one else in this world was made for me the way she was…”
And when he starts calling Aiden “my kid”?
I was done. Completely ruined.
Willow is the kind of heroine that’s easy to connect with. She’s spent her entire life taking care of everyone else. After her parents failed her and her sister abandoned her son, Willow stepped in without hesitation and became Aiden’s whole world, putting her own happiness on the back burner to give him stability and love. She’s strong, sassy, exhausted, and doing her absolute best every single day.
Watching her navigate motherhood, her career as an audiobook narrator, and her long-buried feelings for Ryker was emotional and relatable. She never feels weak. She feels real. Her fears, doubts, and insecurities make so much sense, and her fierce love for Aiden is beautiful.
Ryker and Willow’s relationship is built on fifteen years of friendship, shared history, and quiet longing. They grew up together, became each other’s safe place, and loved each other for years without ever crossing the line, which makes their romance feel completely earned. There’s no rush, no forced drama, and no unnecessary angst, just lingering looks, playful banter, soft touches, emotional conversations, and strong “it’s always been you” energy. The tension builds so naturally, and when they finally give in, the chemistry is fire.
“It’s you,” I whisper against her lips. “Always you, baby. And it will only ever be you for as long as I’m breathing. You’re it for me. You’re in the marrow of my bones, seeped into every broken crack of my being. You smooth out my rough edges. You always have, since the first day I met you. You’re all I want, and all I need, and I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”
What I loved most, though, was the communication. These two actually talk things through. They listen to each other. They work as a team. No ridiculous misunderstandings or manufactured drama. As someone who hates miscommunication tropes, this was so refreshing and incredibly satisfying to read.
“I want all of this man. The funny boy I crushed on, the man that I’m so proud of, the one that I trust more than anyone in this world.”
And we can’t forget about Aiden’s storyline because it added so much depth. He’s angry, hurt, acting out, and lost, and honestly, it makes perfect sense after everything he’s been through. Watching him slowly heal through love, structure, and support at the ranch was incredibly moving. Ryker becomes the role model he desperately needs, and their bond is one of the most beautiful parts of the story.
The family dynamic between Ryker, Willow, Gideon, and Aiden feels authentic and deeply rooted in love. The teasing, the loyalty, and the way they rally for each other when things get hard makes this story so special. This is found family done right.
Safe Haven is so much more than a romance. It’s about healing childhood wounds, learning to accept help, believing you’re worthy of love, and allowing yourself to be taken care of. Ryker struggles with feeling helpless when he can’t fix everything, while Willow has a hard time letting anyone carry the weight with her, and both have emotional scars that shape how they love.
“I used to think that it was this ranch that was my safe haven, but I was wrong.”
“It’s you, baby. You’re my safe place.”
Watching them grow together, learning that love isn’t about fixing each other, but about standing beside one another, was beautiful. Kristen Proby handles these themes with so much care and authenticity, and nothing ever feels rushed or forced. Every moment feels intentional.
Kristen Proby continues to prove why she’s a must-read author for me. This story was heartfelt, addictive, and completely unforgettable. If you love small-town romance, friends-to-lovers, and stories that make you feel everything, this one is a must-read.
Release Date: February 17th, 2026
Thank you to Kristen Proby for the ARC read!