Antonio John Soave's novel Ice Time: Frozen Rinks. Buried Wounds. Hardened Hearts. An Italian American Family Saga. is now available in paperback on Amazon, the author announced. The book, set in Detroit's working-class Italian-American neighborhoods and its hockey culture, explores themes of family, friendship, faith, and redemption.
The novel centers on Tony Perino, a young man whose love of hockey provides an escape from a troubled childhood. Growing up in a traditional Italian-American household, Tony struggles with the emotional fallout of his difficult relationship with his father, Giovanni. Those early wounds follow him into adulthood, shaping his relationships, his choices, and his understanding of fatherhood. As the story unfolds, Tony must confront his past while navigating marriage, family responsibilities, and the complexities of forgiveness.
Soave said the book's central question is whether people can move beyond past pain without letting it define their future. "Our past may help explain who we are, but it doesn't have to determine who we become," Soave said. "That's really the message behind Ice Time. Hockey provides the backdrop, but the most important battles in the book take place within the human heart."
The novel also captures the traditions of Detroit's Italian-American community, including the importance of family, neighborhood friendships, cultural identity, and Catholic faith. These elements ground the story in an authentic setting that speaks to readers across generations and backgrounds. While hockey enthusiasts will find much to enjoy, the book's broader themes of resilience, reconciliation, and second chances make it relevant to anyone who has experienced family conflict or struggled to overcome childhood emotional wounds.
The paperback release is significant for readers who prefer physical books and for booksellers and community groups that may now more easily stock and discuss the title. Soave hopes to connect with readers through interviews, book reviews, author appearances, and community discussions. He is also exploring opportunities with Italian-American, Italian-Canadian, Catholic, and hockey organizations, particularly in Detroit, Windsor, Toronto, and Montreal—cities where the intersections of hockey culture and Italian diaspora identity are especially strong.
For those interested in purchasing or learning more, the paperback is available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HP6M5J93. The release underscores a growing appetite for stories that examine masculinity, father-son relationships, and cultural inheritance through the lens of sport—an angle that may resonate beyond the rink and into broader conversations about healing and family legacy.
