What do you think?
Rate this book
Stick Side #2
La natura del gioco: Stick Side #2
Six years ago, an ultimatum forced Dan Greyson to make a choice that cost him everything he loved most. One of those things? His boyfriend, hockey player Ashton Yager. Now that they’ve crossed paths again, Dan isn’t about to let the opportunity slip away. Ash’s reappearance in his life is just the catalyst Dan needs to escape the rut he’s fallen into…and win back Ash’s trust and love.
Ashton Yager, once burned and now a little bit shy, didn’t mean to publicly come out as bisexual. But now that he has, he’s got to deal with the consequences, including the fact that it might’ve cost him his NHL contract. With his job on the line, he needs to keep his head down, work hard, and play the best hockey of his life. Rekindling things with Dan? That’s not exactly keeping a low profile. It’s also never going to happen, not after Dan walked away once without an explanation.
When a hurricane forces Ash to seek shelter out-of-state, he and Dan find themselves in the same B&B, where old feelings resurface. But with everything Ash has on the line, does he dare play with fire again?
Ashton Yager, once burned and now a little bit shy, didn’t mean to publicly come out as bisexual. But now that he has, he’s got to deal with the consequences, including the fact that it might’ve cost him his NHL contract. With his job on the line, he needs to keep his head down, work hard, and play the best hockey of his life. Rekindling things with Dan? That’s not exactly keeping a low profile. It’s also never going to happen, not after Dan walked away once without an explanation.
When a hurricane forces Ash to seek shelter out-of-state, he and Dan find themselves in the same B&B, where old feelings resurface. But with everything Ash has on the line, does he dare play with fire again?
350 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2019
106 people are currently reading
849 people want to read
About the author
Amy Aislin
38 books913 followersAmy's lived with her head in the clouds since she first picked up a book as a child, and being fluent in two languages means she's read a lot of books! She first picked up a pen on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class had to stay inside for recess. Tales of treasure hunts with her classmates eventually morphed into love stories between men, and she's been writing ever since. She writes evenings and weekends—or whenever she isn't at her full-time day job saving the planet at Canada's largest environmental non-profit.
An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram and Twitter, or sign up for her infrequent newsletter here: http://bit.ly/AmyAislinNewsletter
An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram and Twitter, or sign up for her infrequent newsletter here: http://bit.ly/AmyAislinNewsletter
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
September 16, 2022
[reread: 25/10/21]
✨Alexa... play favourite crime by Olivia Rodrigo please✨
this is undoubtedly the best second chance romance i have ever read🤌🏻
i had to reread this after finally reading book one— being reminded of Dan and Ash just made my heart hurt but also so nostalgic... so i had to revisit them.
and disclaimer... i don’t reread books. ever. only my boys Beck and Jacobs have had that honour. so the fact i reread this book says a lot within itself😌
i remember this being the ideal second chance romance, just hitting every mark that id want in this trope that most other romances fail at— perfect pacing with zero rush; a non-convoluted breakup back in the day; character depth and emotional exploration; working through and acknowledging past hurts to build a new future.
so i was excited to dive back into the love story of Dan and Ash. and a tad scared that it wouldn’t live up to the memories... but clearly those fears were misplaced.
this story was just a perfect reminder that you can love someone and still be hurt by the things they’ve done to you— that loving them isn’t enough to look past the pain... but that you can work past it.
double bi-awakening? ✔️
stuck in a lift meet-cute? ✔️
second chance romance? ✔️
accurate anxiety rep? ✔️
some forced proximity? ✔️
just the right amount of flashbacks? ✔️
i forgot how sweet and endearing their meet-cute was🥺 just their wholesome friendship and interactions had my heart in physical pain. them making cookies in the middle of the night, Ash encouraging Dan to pursue his woodwork shop, building lego ships together, Dan making Ash a dream-catcher... Ash keeping them all this whole time.
it was just as magical and heartfelt as i remembered.
the reason i love this as the blue print for second chance romances is bcos Ash doesn’t forget about the pain and the past. it isn’t thrown away just to make way for a smooth romance— it’s not an easy journey for them. while Dan isn’t an arrogant son of a bitch in pursuing Ash after he was the one to break things off. they both seek one another out while respecting their boundaries. and Dan’s sincerity, heartbreak and hope were attributes i remembered and held onto after my time reading the book which endeared me to Dan and made him stick with me for a long time after.
and it was Dan’s sadness that captured my heart. like this man broke me, eurgh. usually the person who ends the relationship in a second chance romance can be... well kinda douchey, honestly. they’re a bit too cocky and full of themselves, pushing their way back into the other person’s life despite being told not to. and it can be super frustrating.
that is one of many reasons i loved this. Dan is nothing like that— his regret, his hurt, his traumas and sadness are all so apparent it knocks you on your arse. he’s respectful of Ash, despite his own pain, even if distancing himself from Ash hurts the fuck out of him, he does it bcos he ultimately loves Ash more than anything. and respects him.
Dan’s awkwardness and aimlessness, how he didn’t feel like he fit in anywhere, his bone-deep loneliness just...
his regrets were so apparent, it was difficult not to fall in love with him. i just wanted him to be happy so bad (and having read this before, my anxiety wasn’t as painful as the first time knowing he gets his HEA🥺)
then watching him blossom had me like:
rekindling his relationship with his brother, mending his friendship with Cody and forming a friendship with Alex, all while falling in love with Ash all over again just had me grinning like a maniac— i think watching a character grow, fight their way through their struggles and come out on top is just such a delightful thing to read.
like the scene at Mitch’s hockey game where him and Cody were shouting at the ref, high-fiving and getting caught up in the adrenaline had me simping as hard as Ash was lol.
and while they fall into some old patterns just out of old familiarity (food habits, hobbies, their ability to read one another), it doesn’t automatically equate to a relationship and all being forgiven. the book truly is a journey of forgiveness, finding yourself and second chances— that some people deserve a second chance... while others definitely don’t (yes, Mitch and Dan’s mother, im looking at u bitch).
bcos some second chance romances can leave you feeling like “... hang on? i kinda don’t want them to get back together? they’re not the same people now and they’re kinda not good for each other?” it’s usually my issue with the trope. so loved the pacing and the exploration of emotions in this. the author really picks apart the heartache, the anger, the resentment, the nostalgia, the love— it’s definitely multi-faceted.
soooo, is this slow? 10000%.
so if that’s not your thing, then maybe this isn’t for you. but bcos of the trope, id rather it be slow than rushed, you know? the uncertainty and hesitancy ingrained in the slowburn nature of Ash and Dan’s relationship was my favourite part of this— it just felt real, bcos their fears rooted in their uncertainty made this all the more believable. they spend a lot of the book relearning one another, the men they are now and basically fall in love all over again.
like low-key loved that neither of them had been with other men during their time apart since they felt their bi-awakenings were kinda sacred, that no other man would compare to each other... *sobbing part two*
just the way they loved each other tho?!? *sobbing part three* like Dan wearing Ash’s old sweatshirt to bed over the years, a sweatshirt Ash wondered the whereabouts of🥲
just Spain without the s.
like i couldn’t even reread the scene where they breakup in the past... it hurt way too much😭😭 they just gave me effortless soulmate vibes and it was a breath of fresh air to read. Ash encouraged Dan to follow his dreams and dream big, while Dan encouraged Ash to open his heart again and love to the fullest.
just the individual character development was excellent which in turn aided the romantic development so effortlessly. everything was so soft, subtle and beautiful— the story isn’t in your face, OTT, dramatised conflicts and heavy on smut... so if that’s your thing, i imagine this wouldn’t be your vibe. but if character growth with such a heartbreaking, wholesome and unassuming love at the centre of it is your jam? then pick up this bitch😌
now... i kinda wanna reread Roman and Cody’s book🤭 Roman is the epitome of a grumpy soft boy who makes your heart break. honestly, this whole series is so rereadable. i just can’t fangirl over this enough.
**********original review, 28/01/21, 5 stars⭐*********
don’t mind me... just uncontrollably sobbing.
this was surprisingly more emotional than i expected. i’m not a crier so even when i’m emotional and going through it, i rarely ever cry. but Dan and Ash (but especially Dan) had my heart hurting so much and i cried a couple of times lol. i could feel how much they both loved each other, yearned for each other and had been hurting for the past several years apart.
second chance romances tend to be a hit or miss for me bcos a) the reason they break up tends to be something seriously mediocre and ridiculous b) the transition from strangers to reunited lovers is way too quick. like once it’s realised they still love and miss each other they just fall into bed again, as if years haven’t gone by and they’re the same people they were when they were last together.
and this book didn’t do that which made me adore it (and made my heart hurt lol). Dan and Ash had a lot of unresolved issues to work through surrounding trust, abandonment, anger, resentment... the whole works basically. but you could still feel the love between them. it was palpable and the little moments where they let each other in, remembering what they loved about each other while familiarising themselves with the current versions of each other. it wasn’t rushed at the sake of satisfying the reading, even though i wanted them to be together ASAP, i knew that it didn’t make sense for them to be together too early bcos it would just make any progress they’d made redundant.
so i think what made this so emotional and heart-wrenching was the fact it wasn’t easy for them to get back together, to find each other again. they had to work at it, showing the tougher sides of a relationship, not just the cute and romantic happy times.
✨Alexa... play favourite crime by Olivia Rodrigo please✨
Sitting underneath the umbrella, the raindrops cast gentle shadows across Dan’s face, making him appear ethereal and soft. Something tilted in Ash’s chest, making the world fuzzy and sweet.
this is undoubtedly the best second chance romance i have ever read🤌🏻
i had to reread this after finally reading book one— being reminded of Dan and Ash just made my heart hurt but also so nostalgic... so i had to revisit them.
and disclaimer... i don’t reread books. ever. only my boys Beck and Jacobs have had that honour. so the fact i reread this book says a lot within itself😌
i remember this being the ideal second chance romance, just hitting every mark that id want in this trope that most other romances fail at— perfect pacing with zero rush; a non-convoluted breakup back in the day; character depth and emotional exploration; working through and acknowledging past hurts to build a new future.
so i was excited to dive back into the love story of Dan and Ash. and a tad scared that it wouldn’t live up to the memories... but clearly those fears were misplaced.
this story was just a perfect reminder that you can love someone and still be hurt by the things they’ve done to you— that loving them isn’t enough to look past the pain... but that you can work past it.
”You look at each other as if you’re looking at something you know you’ll never have, but you want it desperately anyway, even though it could hurt you.”
double bi-awakening? ✔️
stuck in a lift meet-cute? ✔️
second chance romance? ✔️
accurate anxiety rep? ✔️
some forced proximity? ✔️
just the right amount of flashbacks? ✔️
i forgot how sweet and endearing their meet-cute was🥺 just their wholesome friendship and interactions had my heart in physical pain. them making cookies in the middle of the night, Ash encouraging Dan to pursue his woodwork shop, building lego ships together, Dan making Ash a dream-catcher... Ash keeping them all this whole time.
it was just as magical and heartfelt as i remembered.
And, truthfully, the thought of being with someone other than Ash, of having what he’d had with Ash but with someone else, man or woman, had hurt too much. He hadn’t had the kind of intimacy and trust he’d had with Ash with anyone else since.
Six years was a long time to yearn for someone, which probably made Dan utterly pathetic, especially since Ash hadn’t sat around yearning for him in return.
the reason i love this as the blue print for second chance romances is bcos Ash doesn’t forget about the pain and the past. it isn’t thrown away just to make way for a smooth romance— it’s not an easy journey for them. while Dan isn’t an arrogant son of a bitch in pursuing Ash after he was the one to break things off. they both seek one another out while respecting their boundaries. and Dan’s sincerity, heartbreak and hope were attributes i remembered and held onto after my time reading the book which endeared me to Dan and made him stick with me for a long time after.
and it was Dan’s sadness that captured my heart. like this man broke me, eurgh. usually the person who ends the relationship in a second chance romance can be... well kinda douchey, honestly. they’re a bit too cocky and full of themselves, pushing their way back into the other person’s life despite being told not to. and it can be super frustrating.
that is one of many reasons i loved this. Dan is nothing like that— his regret, his hurt, his traumas and sadness are all so apparent it knocks you on your arse. he’s respectful of Ash, despite his own pain, even if distancing himself from Ash hurts the fuck out of him, he does it bcos he ultimately loves Ash more than anything. and respects him.
Dan’s awkwardness and aimlessness, how he didn’t feel like he fit in anywhere, his bone-deep loneliness just...
his regrets were so apparent, it was difficult not to fall in love with him. i just wanted him to be happy so bad (and having read this before, my anxiety wasn’t as painful as the first time knowing he gets his HEA🥺)
then watching him blossom had me like:
rekindling his relationship with his brother, mending his friendship with Cody and forming a friendship with Alex, all while falling in love with Ash all over again just had me grinning like a maniac— i think watching a character grow, fight their way through their struggles and come out on top is just such a delightful thing to read.
like the scene at Mitch’s hockey game where him and Cody were shouting at the ref, high-fiving and getting caught up in the adrenaline had me simping as hard as Ash was lol.
Sitting across from Dan now, all of the old hurt came back as if Dan had left him at the airport yesterday, not six years ago. The devastation. The aching sense of loss. The confusion that had left him grasping at nothing. The realization that Dan didn’t want him enough. The bigger realization that even though, for him, Dan had been the one; to Dan, Ash had just been a summer fling.
and while they fall into some old patterns just out of old familiarity (food habits, hobbies, their ability to read one another), it doesn’t automatically equate to a relationship and all being forgiven. the book truly is a journey of forgiveness, finding yourself and second chances— that some people deserve a second chance... while others definitely don’t (yes, Mitch and Dan’s mother, im looking at u bitch).
bcos some second chance romances can leave you feeling like “... hang on? i kinda don’t want them to get back together? they’re not the same people now and they’re kinda not good for each other?” it’s usually my issue with the trope. so loved the pacing and the exploration of emotions in this. the author really picks apart the heartache, the anger, the resentment, the nostalgia, the love— it’s definitely multi-faceted.
It was Dan who closed the distance between them, tentatively, hands curling around Ash’s upper arms. Ash snaked his arms around Dan’s waist, bringing them chest-to-chest and lifting Dan up onto his tippy toes, making Dan’s breathing hitch and his hands clamp onto Ash.
soooo, is this slow? 10000%.
so if that’s not your thing, then maybe this isn’t for you. but bcos of the trope, id rather it be slow than rushed, you know? the uncertainty and hesitancy ingrained in the slowburn nature of Ash and Dan’s relationship was my favourite part of this— it just felt real, bcos their fears rooted in their uncertainty made this all the more believable. they spend a lot of the book relearning one another, the men they are now and basically fall in love all over again.
like low-key loved that neither of them had been with other men during their time apart since they felt their bi-awakenings were kinda sacred, that no other man would compare to each other... *sobbing part two*
Ash pressed a tiny kiss to Dan’s cheekbone, the skin warm and soft. “I’ve never kissed a guy before.”
“Me neither.” Dan pulled back, just a bit, and smiled quietly at Ash. “Hi.”
Something soft and warm tumbled in Ash’s chest. “Hi.”
just the way they loved each other tho?!? *sobbing part three* like Dan wearing Ash’s old sweatshirt to bed over the years, a sweatshirt Ash wondered the whereabouts of🥲
just Spain without the s.
Their gazes caught and held, and for a moment, a very brief second, Ash was six years younger and falling in love for the first time. The only time. The stomach-fluttering, pulse-racing, heart-hammering, weak-kneed kind of love he hadn’t felt before or since.
like i couldn’t even reread the scene where they breakup in the past... it hurt way too much😭😭 they just gave me effortless soulmate vibes and it was a breath of fresh air to read. Ash encouraged Dan to follow his dreams and dream big, while Dan encouraged Ash to open his heart again and love to the fullest.
The sun shone in from the window in front of him, highlighting the dust motes that bobbed and danced, and when Dan laughed, appearing ethereal and delicate, Ash’s knees turned to water.
just the individual character development was excellent which in turn aided the romantic development so effortlessly. everything was so soft, subtle and beautiful— the story isn’t in your face, OTT, dramatised conflicts and heavy on smut... so if that’s your thing, i imagine this wouldn’t be your vibe. but if character growth with such a heartbreaking, wholesome and unassuming love at the centre of it is your jam? then pick up this bitch😌
...he and Dan had been a pair of defensemen who’d been skating together for years. In sync. In tune. Able to read each other’s body language. Able to finish each other’s sentences. Hearts beating for one thing.
Each other.
now... i kinda wanna reread Roman and Cody’s book🤭 Roman is the epitome of a grumpy soft boy who makes your heart break. honestly, this whole series is so rereadable. i just can’t fangirl over this enough.
”You made me feel like I could fly.”
**********original review, 28/01/21, 5 stars⭐*********
don’t mind me... just uncontrollably sobbing.
this was surprisingly more emotional than i expected. i’m not a crier so even when i’m emotional and going through it, i rarely ever cry. but Dan and Ash (but especially Dan) had my heart hurting so much and i cried a couple of times lol. i could feel how much they both loved each other, yearned for each other and had been hurting for the past several years apart.
second chance romances tend to be a hit or miss for me bcos a) the reason they break up tends to be something seriously mediocre and ridiculous b) the transition from strangers to reunited lovers is way too quick. like once it’s realised they still love and miss each other they just fall into bed again, as if years haven’t gone by and they’re the same people they were when they were last together.
and this book didn’t do that which made me adore it (and made my heart hurt lol). Dan and Ash had a lot of unresolved issues to work through surrounding trust, abandonment, anger, resentment... the whole works basically. but you could still feel the love between them. it was palpable and the little moments where they let each other in, remembering what they loved about each other while familiarising themselves with the current versions of each other. it wasn’t rushed at the sake of satisfying the reading, even though i wanted them to be together ASAP, i knew that it didn’t make sense for them to be together too early bcos it would just make any progress they’d made redundant.
so i think what made this so emotional and heart-wrenching was the fact it wasn’t easy for them to get back together, to find each other again. they had to work at it, showing the tougher sides of a relationship, not just the cute and romantic happy times.
![Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645500038i%2F37448930._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
November 1, 2021
4 stars ☆
❝No.❞ It was said on a soft laugh full of disbelief. ❝I could never be afraid of you, Ash. You made me feel like I could fly.❞ Dan's voice trailed off into a whisper.
it's the fact that i have a midterm in a few hrs but i ended up binging this in one sitting instead of studying. 🥴
this was such an emotional ride of feels. i loved, loved Ash and Dan so much. their second chance romance was written beautifully, but also quite realistic imo. i liked how Ash didn't immediately give in to Dan after they crossed each other's paths again years later. his love for Dan was still very much present, but he didn't forget the pain he felt all those years ago either. at the same time, i can't exactly blame Dan for why he did what he did (especially when we find out the whole truth and how he didn't have a choice). all im gonna say is . 😤 my fav thing about Dan tho was, although it's obvious he felt the regret and yk he wanted to get back together with Ash, he didn't rush him but, instead, he gave Ash the time and space he needed. 🥺
anyways, i surprisingly enjoyed the past vs present pov switch. i liked how the past was more cute and sweet as we see the beginning of their love story vs the present, which had a little more angst but still gave you that feeling of hope once Ash finally decided to give Dan a second chance. im definitely interested in checking out the whole series now. 🥰
❝No.❞ It was said on a soft laugh full of disbelief. ❝I could never be afraid of you, Ash. You made me feel like I could fly.❞ Dan's voice trailed off into a whisper.
it's the fact that i have a midterm in a few hrs but i ended up binging this in one sitting instead of studying. 🥴
this was such an emotional ride of feels. i loved, loved Ash and Dan so much. their second chance romance was written beautifully, but also quite realistic imo. i liked how Ash didn't immediately give in to Dan after they crossed each other's paths again years later. his love for Dan was still very much present, but he didn't forget the pain he felt all those years ago either. at the same time, i can't exactly blame Dan for why he did what he did (especially when we find out the whole truth and how he didn't have a choice). all im gonna say is . 😤 my fav thing about Dan tho was, although it's obvious he felt the regret and yk he wanted to get back together with Ash, he didn't rush him but, instead, he gave Ash the time and space he needed. 🥺
anyways, i surprisingly enjoyed the past vs present pov switch. i liked how the past was more cute and sweet as we see the beginning of their love story vs the present, which had a little more angst but still gave you that feeling of hope once Ash finally decided to give Dan a second chance. im definitely interested in checking out the whole series now. 🥰
February 23, 2020
2,5 stars
As much as I wanted to enjoy this hockey MM romance, it wasn't at all what I expected. I hate miscommunication and here it was too much for me. I wish we got more, but for me it was not enough. It was just OK with a few scenes that worked for me.
As much as I wanted to enjoy this hockey MM romance, it wasn't at all what I expected. I hate miscommunication and here it was too much for me. I wish we got more, but for me it was not enough. It was just OK with a few scenes that worked for me.
Want to read
October 27, 2021This cover is so ugly, can we please not have naked men on it?
But ITS ICE HOCKEY ROMANCE, IM SO PUMPED
But ITS ICE HOCKEY ROMANCE, IM SO PUMPED
May 3, 2019
Full review tomorrow.
I really enjoyed book one in this series, but Dan and Ash's story absolutely captured my heart. One of my favourite tropes is the second chance romance and here Amy gave us one where there was never any doubt about just how much these two had loved each other when they were younger.
Without going too deep into spoiler territory, I wanted to punch people a lot while reading this book and any narrative which stirs that kind of emotion in me is a winner. My heart broke for what Dan went through, he hurt possibly even more than Ash did because he had a further betrayal to compound him turning his back on the love of his life.
When they began to make their way through friendship and into love again I was so happy. Then I wanted to punch Ash at the same time as giving him a massive hug because I could totally understand his behaviour while I wanted him to acknowledge that Dan wasn't the person he'd thought he was.
All ends up though this was a very satisfying read! Now I'm wondering about Alex and Ash's teammate Kinsey 😉
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
I really enjoyed book one in this series, but Dan and Ash's story absolutely captured my heart. One of my favourite tropes is the second chance romance and here Amy gave us one where there was never any doubt about just how much these two had loved each other when they were younger.
Without going too deep into spoiler territory, I wanted to punch people a lot while reading this book and any narrative which stirs that kind of emotion in me is a winner. My heart broke for what Dan went through, he hurt possibly even more than Ash did because he had a further betrayal to compound him turning his back on the love of his life.
When they began to make their way through friendship and into love again I was so happy. Then I wanted to punch Ash at the same time as giving him a massive hug because I could totally understand his behaviour while I wanted him to acknowledge that Dan wasn't the person he'd thought he was.
All ends up though this was a very satisfying read! Now I'm wondering about Alex and Ash's teammate Kinsey 😉
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
January 29, 2020
This is only the 2nd book I've read by Amy Aislin, but I have to say I really like her writing. Even the back and forth through time didn't bother me as much as it usually does. This is a second chance romance for two guys who deserve it. I really liked both characters even though I didn't always agree with their actions. It was rewarding to watching them make a go of their second chance.
3.5 stars rounded up because if the smooth writing
3.5 stars rounded up because if the smooth writing
May 23, 2019
The couple things I enjoyed about this story included the gut-busting scene of our protags having sex for the first time and the witty, snarky dialogue. But the miscommunications, the martyrdom, the hot and cold, and the melodrama prevent me from giving it more than three stars.
June 20, 2019
Me ha gustado mucho, más que el primero de la serie. Algunas circunstancias por las que pasan los protagonistas son poco creíbles, pero en general es un libro de segundas oportunidades muy romántico. Y con jugadores de hockey. Para qué decir más.
March 8, 2023
4,5 stars.
I loved the sequel, too, maybe even more than the first book in the series.
Like in the first book, the only thing that didn't sit well with me was Dan and Mitch's mother, her actions, motives and their repercussions on her sons' lives.
But since all of the above is the foundation for the book, I tried to just go with it, and I'm happy it didn't prevent me from enjoying the story.
This may be the most beautiful second chance romance I had the pleasure to read!
Through the whole book Dan and Ash's actions and feelings felt genuine, both their struggles to try to move forward although one of them full of regret (Dan) and the other full of resentment and hurt (Ash), were understandable and shown in a touching way.
Even the fact that their talking about the past was left for so long, felt genuine to me.
The flashbacks to the past never ripped me out of the story, but were placed and written perfectly.
Despite the mother-issue I loved this story very much. Most of all I loved:
-the amazing way the second-chance-trope was developed,
-the characters, their connection and chemistry.
4,5 stars - this is another book I'll definitely reread!
Can't wait now for Kinsey and Cody's story (and to move on from the evil mother haha)
I loved the sequel, too, maybe even more than the first book in the series.
Like in the first book, the only thing that didn't sit well with me was Dan and Mitch's mother, her actions, motives and their repercussions on her sons' lives.
But since all of the above is the foundation for the book, I tried to just go with it, and I'm happy it didn't prevent me from enjoying the story.
This may be the most beautiful second chance romance I had the pleasure to read!
Through the whole book Dan and Ash's actions and feelings felt genuine, both their struggles to try to move forward although one of them full of regret (Dan) and the other full of resentment and hurt (Ash), were understandable and shown in a touching way.
Even the fact that their talking about the past was left for so long, felt genuine to me.
The flashbacks to the past never ripped me out of the story, but were placed and written perfectly.
Despite the mother-issue I loved this story very much. Most of all I loved:
-the amazing way the second-chance-trope was developed,
-the characters, their connection and chemistry.
4,5 stars - this is another book I'll definitely reread!
Can't wait now for Kinsey and Cody's story (and to move on from the evil mother haha)
December 11, 2022
When it’s well done, there is nothing I enjoy more than a second chance romance. All the feelings? Young love and heartbreak? Yes, please!
Add in a double bisexual discovery, NHL hockey, and great secondary characters (including my loves Mitch and Alex), and let me tell you I loved every page of this book. I even cried. Real tears.
My niggles:
- just like every other author portraying an accountant, this author has no idea what accountants really do. And no, it’s not math and spreadsheets.
- I still don’t get why Dan did what he did. I’ll blame it on being 20, scared, and stupid.
5 stars anyway, because FEELINGS!
Add in a double bisexual discovery, NHL hockey, and great secondary characters (including my loves Mitch and Alex), and let me tell you I loved every page of this book. I even cried. Real tears.
My niggles:
- just like every other author portraying an accountant, this author has no idea what accountants really do. And no, it’s not math and spreadsheets.
- I still don’t get why Dan did what he did. I’ll blame it on being 20, scared, and stupid.
5 stars anyway, because FEELINGS!
April 15, 2023
This is a second chance romance done absolutely right!!
Also, Dan is the most precious thing ever 🥺
Also, Dan is the most precious thing ever 🥺
February 1, 2023
3.75 stars
“Thank you for letting me back into your life. I wish…” He trailed off. Clearing his throat, he went on. “I wish things could be different between us, but I understand why they can’t be. I really missed you.” His words were low and steady. “And I’m glad I got to be in your life again, even if—“ He hiccuped and wiped away a stray tear, slicing Ash through his chest. “Even if only for a little while.” He set his item down on the table, gently, so tenderly…
And then he was gone.”
I’m not generally a fan of second chance romances, but this one worked for me. I liked Dan, the supposed villain who abruptly dumped Ash by text eight years ago without explanation. But as the story unfolds, you understand why he did so in order to protect the hockey defenseman. Although the reason for their breakup is the evil parent who keeps our starry-eyed lovers apart trope, there’s a slight twist on it because Dan’s mother doesn’t even know about Ash’s existence, but she wants to control Dan’s life and manipulate him into running the family business. The time-shifts are handled well. I liked the depictions of Dan currently trying to win back an understandably wary Ash, and the segues into the period when they first fell in love at twenty.
“Thank you for letting me back into your life. I wish…” He trailed off. Clearing his throat, he went on. “I wish things could be different between us, but I understand why they can’t be. I really missed you.” His words were low and steady. “And I’m glad I got to be in your life again, even if—“ He hiccuped and wiped away a stray tear, slicing Ash through his chest. “Even if only for a little while.” He set his item down on the table, gently, so tenderly…
And then he was gone.”
I’m not generally a fan of second chance romances, but this one worked for me. I liked Dan, the supposed villain who abruptly dumped Ash by text eight years ago without explanation. But as the story unfolds, you understand why he did so in order to protect the hockey defenseman. Although the reason for their breakup is the evil parent who keeps our starry-eyed lovers apart trope, there’s a slight twist on it because Dan’s mother doesn’t even know about Ash’s existence, but she wants to control Dan’s life and manipulate him into running the family business. The time-shifts are handled well. I liked the depictions of Dan currently trying to win back an understandably wary Ash, and the segues into the period when they first fell in love at twenty.
November 10, 2025
4.5
second chance romance ? 6 years after a tragic breakup ? - my weakness
bisexual main characters ? i say abso-fucking-lutly, yes.
emotional roller coaster close to the end ? bro
my face pouting without me noticing ? rarely (oh?) done.
anyways. i really like this romance between Ash and Dan. i wanted their happiness so badly. i got mad, sad, happy with and for them.
20240128 edit :
yea. stars upgrade.
i cried so many times (lost count at 5).
the flashbacks were painful. some scenes made me feel just as lonely as Dan and Ash. i felt like shit, omg. it was amazing.
the more i (re)read this series, the more i love the fact that sex scenes are not immediate. there is time to learn about the characters and dive into their feelings and relationship. i really appreciate it.
second chance romance ? 6 years after a tragic breakup ? - my weakness
bisexual main characters ? i say abso-fucking-lutly, yes.
emotional roller coaster close to the end ? bro
my face pouting without me noticing ? rarely (oh?) done.
anyways. i really like this romance between Ash and Dan. i wanted their happiness so badly. i got mad, sad, happy with and for them.
20240128 edit :
yea. stars upgrade.
i cried so many times (lost count at 5).
the flashbacks were painful. some scenes made me feel just as lonely as Dan and Ash. i felt like shit, omg. it was amazing.
the more i (re)read this series, the more i love the fact that sex scenes are not immediate. there is time to learn about the characters and dive into their feelings and relationship. i really appreciate it.
August 16, 2025
2.5 stars: Rating rounded to 3 stars only because I loved Dan so much and I actually got teary every time he talked about how he was treated by his mother. There was a lot of emotion where Dan was concerned and I felt connected to him. Ash? Not so much…or not at all.
I was bored through most of this book. The back and forth between how Ash and Dan met qnd what was happening “now”, really dragged. I didn’t like Ash until almost the end. He really treated Dan badly and didn’t want to hear Dan’s explanation of why he broke things off with Ash 6 years ago. Ash kept giving Dan mixed signals and I just ended up feeling bad for Dan and wanting him to move on to someone else. He deserved better!!
There was also a lot of repetition. When they would eat at a restaurant, they always picked up their menus from between the salt and pepper shakers. The two sex scenes felt the same. The wording was too similar even down to meeting each other “thrust for thrust”. Repetition like that makes a book boring. 🥱
It was odd that some things were so detailed —the description of the B&B’s bedrooms or Dan’s wood shop (even though he lacked some very important woodworking tools like a lathe 🙄)— and other things were annoyingly vague. I wanted some detail on what Ash finally received as a contract. How long? How much? Those things aren’t that hard to research online or make up. When Dan’s mother’s office was described twice, it seemed cut and pasted. Why did it even need that much detail a second time? Just say that it looked the same. Also, people don’t have “dressers” in their offices in the US. Was it a credenza? Or perhaps a “dresser” is something different in Canada as opposed to America. If so, this story is based in America and should be worded accordingly (i.e., a “lounge” in the US is like a restaurant or pub).
I think I’ll still try the next book. Hopefully it will be more original. At least this one had some actual hockey involved. We’ll see how it goes.
I was bored through most of this book. The back and forth between how Ash and Dan met qnd what was happening “now”, really dragged. I didn’t like Ash until almost the end. He really treated Dan badly and didn’t want to hear Dan’s explanation of why he broke things off with Ash 6 years ago. Ash kept giving Dan mixed signals and I just ended up feeling bad for Dan and wanting him to move on to someone else. He deserved better!!
There was also a lot of repetition. When they would eat at a restaurant, they always picked up their menus from between the salt and pepper shakers. The two sex scenes felt the same. The wording was too similar even down to meeting each other “thrust for thrust”. Repetition like that makes a book boring. 🥱
It was odd that some things were so detailed —the description of the B&B’s bedrooms or Dan’s wood shop (even though he lacked some very important woodworking tools like a lathe 🙄)— and other things were annoyingly vague. I wanted some detail on what Ash finally received as a contract. How long? How much? Those things aren’t that hard to research online or make up. When Dan’s mother’s office was described twice, it seemed cut and pasted. Why did it even need that much detail a second time? Just say that it looked the same. Also, people don’t have “dressers” in their offices in the US. Was it a credenza? Or perhaps a “dresser” is something different in Canada as opposed to America. If so, this story is based in America and should be worded accordingly (i.e., a “lounge” in the US is like a restaurant or pub).
I think I’ll still try the next book. Hopefully it will be more original. At least this one had some actual hockey involved. We’ll see how it goes.
June 13, 2022
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love Dan and Ash! 😩
Honestly, I don’t know how to write a review on this. Don’t judge a book by its cover, has never been more true. This book is the sequel of ‘On the Ice’. This time we follow the story of Dan (Mitch’s brother) and Ash (Alex’s teammate). They’ve dated 6 years ago in secret and it ended in disaster. Now they’re back in each others lives.
This is another slow burn romance, with some heartbreak, tears, beautiful moments and freaking hot smut. 🌶❤️
I’m a bit obsessed with these books, so I’m probably biased af in my reviews. All I can say is, if you haven’t tried it yet, give it a go! You won’t regret it.
Honestly, I don’t know how to write a review on this. Don’t judge a book by its cover, has never been more true. This book is the sequel of ‘On the Ice’. This time we follow the story of Dan (Mitch’s brother) and Ash (Alex’s teammate). They’ve dated 6 years ago in secret and it ended in disaster. Now they’re back in each others lives.
This is another slow burn romance, with some heartbreak, tears, beautiful moments and freaking hot smut. 🌶❤️
I’m a bit obsessed with these books, so I’m probably biased af in my reviews. All I can say is, if you haven’t tried it yet, give it a go! You won’t regret it.
November 1, 2024
4.5 stars
Dan was forced by his mother to make a horrible choice several years ago, only to find out that it was all for naught. He is slowly making it right with his brother, and is determined to make it up to the man that he hurt. He gets his first opportunity at his brother's boyfriend's book signing, since the guy is a teammate and there to support him.
Ash was really hurt when Daniel walked away with no explanations, and is kind of thrown for a loop when he meets Dan again at his friend's book signing. He doesn't want to hear any apologies, or reasons, just wants to leave the past in the past. He's (mostly) moved on, although the hurt does still linger.
Dan isn't willing to give up this time, though. He respects the boundaries that Ash sets up, but still sits on the edge of them, always there and reminding Ash of what they had, and could have again.
Ash is going through quite a few things: he sort of accidentally came out (for a really good cause) as bisexual, his hometown is battening down for a hurricane, and Dan is quietly in the background, supporting him and being there for him. Ash doesn't know if he can forgive Dan, but he starts to think that he might want to move past it.
This was told in present day and in flashbacks, from their first meeting to the fateful words that Dan texted Ash. Dan is so earnest and really, really wants to be himself again. The self that he thought he lost six years ago when he lost the two most important people in the world to him. To that end, he does take some time for himself, and to be there for his brother...and Ash.
Ash is very leery, and while he comes to understand that Dan had his reasons for doing what he did, he doesn't want to know what they are. He was so hurt by Dan's past actions and he just doesn't want to chance going through that again. Dan sticks around, even though Ash isn't promising anything, and slowly the trust starts to build between them again.
I felt so bad for both Dan and Ash. I mean, Ash was blindsided by Dan in the worst way possible. Dan thought he had an impossible choice to make, and he did it, but it hurt him and the people he loved.
The story was a steady pace, slowly building on the old feelings, and cultivating new ones. It was easy to see why these two fell for each other in the first place, and very interesting to see that the hurt wasn't just brushed aside for twue wuv, that it didn't make everything better. Their relationship was strengthened for having been tested and put through the wringer, though, and I really like the place that they ended up, because it felt honest and strong enough to survive anything.
I didn't rate this higher because
Dan was forced by his mother to make a horrible choice several years ago, only to find out that it was all for naught. He is slowly making it right with his brother, and is determined to make it up to the man that he hurt. He gets his first opportunity at his brother's boyfriend's book signing, since the guy is a teammate and there to support him.
Ash was really hurt when Daniel walked away with no explanations, and is kind of thrown for a loop when he meets Dan again at his friend's book signing. He doesn't want to hear any apologies, or reasons, just wants to leave the past in the past. He's (mostly) moved on, although the hurt does still linger.
Dan isn't willing to give up this time, though. He respects the boundaries that Ash sets up, but still sits on the edge of them, always there and reminding Ash of what they had, and could have again.
Ash is going through quite a few things: he sort of accidentally came out (for a really good cause) as bisexual, his hometown is battening down for a hurricane, and Dan is quietly in the background, supporting him and being there for him. Ash doesn't know if he can forgive Dan, but he starts to think that he might want to move past it.
This was told in present day and in flashbacks, from their first meeting to the fateful words that Dan texted Ash. Dan is so earnest and really, really wants to be himself again. The self that he thought he lost six years ago when he lost the two most important people in the world to him. To that end, he does take some time for himself, and to be there for his brother...and Ash.
Ash is very leery, and while he comes to understand that Dan had his reasons for doing what he did, he doesn't want to know what they are. He was so hurt by Dan's past actions and he just doesn't want to chance going through that again. Dan sticks around, even though Ash isn't promising anything, and slowly the trust starts to build between them again.
I felt so bad for both Dan and Ash. I mean, Ash was blindsided by Dan in the worst way possible. Dan thought he had an impossible choice to make, and he did it, but it hurt him and the people he loved.
The story was a steady pace, slowly building on the old feelings, and cultivating new ones. It was easy to see why these two fell for each other in the first place, and very interesting to see that the hurt wasn't just brushed aside for twue wuv, that it didn't make everything better. Their relationship was strengthened for having been tested and put through the wringer, though, and I really like the place that they ended up, because it felt honest and strong enough to survive anything.
I didn't rate this higher because
September 15, 2022
[3.5] rounding up for adorable scenes like their first time and Ash 🥺
May 11, 2019
Six years ago, Dan’s mom blackmailed him into doing her bidding, and in the process, he hurt both Ash and himself.
Now, Ash is back in his life, as a teammate of his brother’s bf, and he wants to make amends and possibly start over.
I love second chance romance and this didn’t disappoint. There’s a bit of a rocky road to their HEA, but their relationship is definitely stronger this time around.
*I received an arc
Now, Ash is back in his life, as a teammate of his brother’s bf, and he wants to make amends and possibly start over.
I love second chance romance and this didn’t disappoint. There’s a bit of a rocky road to their HEA, but their relationship is definitely stronger this time around.
*I received an arc
May 13, 2019
Be prepared for an amazing deeply emotional ride with beautifully developed characters. I loved this wonderful genuine story hard.
Dan has changed since the last time Ash saw him. Ever handsome, but more subdued and withdrawn. Ash should be mad and angry but facing the man who broke his heart six years ago didn’t left him indifferent.
It was unavoidable he knew, but confronted with Ash was heartbreaking all over again.
He left him six years ago and never got over him. He had his reasons and they were heart wrenching. Ash doesn’t want to hear any explanation from Dan about what and why things happened the way it did. Oh boy the stupidest act ever, if he only knew!!
Ash is wary, he can’t forget the hurt, they try to reconnect and struggling with it. The attraction is still strong but the gap and the hurt is so palpable. When a tornado destroys Ash his home and the Try Out Center for Youth which is sponsored by Ash’s NHL team, Dan is the first one to stands up and help.
This story was so vividly written and the heartbreak palpable I was floored. At times it was so hopeless. This all amazingly written down, I completely got lost of time and surrounding.
Alternating between past and present the relationship of Ash and Dan reveals before our eyes. So much love, so much connection, they were meant to be together, and now... these beautiful men who had to work so hard to let the past go. Every move, every turn with them felt so honest and real, absolutely not over-romanticized. It was deeply emotional I couldn’t keep my eyes dry.
Thoroughly developed journey with the most engaging characters. The environments perfectly displayed. A story with depth, consistency and a lot of emotions, at times it just blew me off my feet.
Highly recommended!
Dan has changed since the last time Ash saw him. Ever handsome, but more subdued and withdrawn. Ash should be mad and angry but facing the man who broke his heart six years ago didn’t left him indifferent.
It was unavoidable he knew, but confronted with Ash was heartbreaking all over again.
He left him six years ago and never got over him. He had his reasons and they were heart wrenching. Ash doesn’t want to hear any explanation from Dan about what and why things happened the way it did. Oh boy the stupidest act ever, if he only knew!!
Ash is wary, he can’t forget the hurt, they try to reconnect and struggling with it. The attraction is still strong but the gap and the hurt is so palpable. When a tornado destroys Ash his home and the Try Out Center for Youth which is sponsored by Ash’s NHL team, Dan is the first one to stands up and help.
This story was so vividly written and the heartbreak palpable I was floored. At times it was so hopeless. This all amazingly written down, I completely got lost of time and surrounding.
Alternating between past and present the relationship of Ash and Dan reveals before our eyes. So much love, so much connection, they were meant to be together, and now... these beautiful men who had to work so hard to let the past go. Every move, every turn with them felt so honest and real, absolutely not over-romanticized. It was deeply emotional I couldn’t keep my eyes dry.
Thoroughly developed journey with the most engaging characters. The environments perfectly displayed. A story with depth, consistency and a lot of emotions, at times it just blew me off my feet.
Highly recommended!
August 3, 2022
reread: I love Ash so much I'm going to explode.
I not a big fan of second chance romance but ash and dan stole my heart.
———————————
i read this and went to sleep and now i don't remember what happened but i'm pretty sure it was good somehow.
OBS now with my reread I remember and it’s SO GOOD.
I not a big fan of second chance romance but ash and dan stole my heart.
———————————
i read this and went to sleep and now i don't remember what happened but i'm pretty sure it was good somehow.
OBS now with my reread I remember and it’s SO GOOD.
Want to read
January 7, 20201/7/2020 Currently on sale for 99c via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QN1FNJ3/...
November 2, 2022
I'm giving this book 4.6⭐, because the story itself was wonderful, but again, the details. The details were the ones that would put that cherry on top. Intimate details. Kissing details. All of their firsts details.
Those details weren't there.
I read On the Ice quite a few months ago and stopped reading the series, because it lacked spice.
Not only that, it lacked, again, a detailed description in regards to the characters experiencing their first anything, actually, and that really put, at least for me, the damper on things, because the stories are really well thought out, the story-telling is great and the characters are wonderful.
Daniel is Mitch's estranged brother. He's 27, working in the family business and like he shunned Mitch away all those years ago, so he did Ash, who is actually Alex's co-player and best friend.
Dan and Ash met, became fast friends and knew each other for 2 months until they both realised they're attracted to each other, with none of them having previous experiences with men.
They fell in love, decided to move in together and here's where their great love story ended, because a young Dan, in all his emotions and inexperience, did what he thought best, when his mother blackmailed him - he let Ash go in order to protect him. He never showed up at their new apartment, he ghosted Ash and broke both of their hearts in the process.
Later we do find out that Dan actually wanted to call Ash when a few months passed, but by that time Ash was already with a girlfriend that he later married and divorced.
When they finally do meet 6 years after that heartbreaking event, they try to be friendly, they also get intimate at some point, but all of it is just too much for Ash, he can't trust Dan again, especially because he doesn't know all the details, so he pushes him away.
They eventually do find their way to each other, both forgiving and really loving each other and in my opinion, this relationship, forming at 6 years after their breaking up, had much more chance of succeeding.
Both were wonderful characters, I felt the love they had for each other and even though the spice wasn't in the forefront and there wasn't much of it, the story was wonderful.
I'm kind of liking this story more than the first one.
May 1, 2019
Arc copy courtesy of LesCourt
All reviews are voluntary, and my honest opinion.
Dan's number one problem is he has major communication issues, which to be fair is a regular trope in some of these stories. Six years ago Dan and Ash were secretly dating, they were just about to come out to their families and move in together when Dan found himself being blackmailed by his mother. Ash was essentially left at the altar when Dan didn't show up for their plane flight, and broke it off with him via text.
Six years later, Dan's mom has broken her promise, and things are finally different. Dan runs into Ash for the first time at his brother's book signing but things can't ever be the way they were again, can they?
The characters do have chemistry, and in particular I find Dan very likable because he's just trying to protect everyone around him, even if he is a bit misguided. The two of them can be kind of aggravating with their lack of communication, but that's not entirely surprising given the initial break-up, and festering resentment. This is a sweet second-chance romance between two men who never fell out of love.
Ash is a hockey player, and I think with the cover focusing so primarily on hockey I was expecting a little bit more about the sport, but the cover could have just as easily had a woodworker for Dan, other than the sub plot about Ash coming out as a bisexual hockey icon.
I'm more interested in Dan's love of legos, his enjoyment of onesies, and their flirting with nerd culture references. A solid re-kindle romance.
Rating 4/5 would re-read.
All reviews are voluntary, and my honest opinion.
Dan's number one problem is he has major communication issues, which to be fair is a regular trope in some of these stories. Six years ago Dan and Ash were secretly dating, they were just about to come out to their families and move in together when Dan found himself being blackmailed by his mother. Ash was essentially left at the altar when Dan didn't show up for their plane flight, and broke it off with him via text.
Six years later, Dan's mom has broken her promise, and things are finally different. Dan runs into Ash for the first time at his brother's book signing but things can't ever be the way they were again, can they?
The characters do have chemistry, and in particular I find Dan very likable because he's just trying to protect everyone around him, even if he is a bit misguided. The two of them can be kind of aggravating with their lack of communication, but that's not entirely surprising given the initial break-up, and festering resentment. This is a sweet second-chance romance between two men who never fell out of love.
Ash is a hockey player, and I think with the cover focusing so primarily on hockey I was expecting a little bit more about the sport, but the cover could have just as easily had a woodworker for Dan, other than the sub plot about Ash coming out as a bisexual hockey icon.
I'm more interested in Dan's love of legos, his enjoyment of onesies, and their flirting with nerd culture references. A solid re-kindle romance.
Rating 4/5 would re-read.
February 14, 2020
4.25 stars from me.
The evil bitch mother does finally show her face in this one...and yes, she still needs a good kick up the backside. Nasty piece of work, only interested in how things affect her and the good name of her family firm 😡😡😡. Her sensible sons and ex husband no longer have anything to do with her after her blackmail attempts...such a bitch.
This one was a lot more rounded emotionally than On the Ice, but still with good characters. Dan and Ash definitely deserved their HEA.
The evil bitch mother does finally show her face in this one...and yes, she still needs a good kick up the backside. Nasty piece of work, only interested in how things affect her and the good name of her family firm 😡😡😡. Her sensible sons and ex husband no longer have anything to do with her after her blackmail attempts...such a bitch.
This one was a lot more rounded emotionally than On the Ice, but still with good characters. Dan and Ash definitely deserved their HEA.
April 3, 2022
Love this series. Each of these books follow the love stories of each of the characters. I have been devouring these books in 1-2 days. Can't put them down. A must read for those who love MM romance.
December 25, 2023
3.5 stars. I’d like to give this book a higher rating but it falls into the unfortunate miscommunication trope - I will say this though, the events leading to said communication issues feel believable. Keeping all that in mind, I did really enjoy the chemistry between the 2MC’s, supporting characters, how they initially fall in love, Dan realizing he’s bisexual & how they came back together. The first time they have sex is also very funny. 😁 solid book overall.
Read initially in early 2022 and did not rate on GR.
12/2023: re-read
Read initially in early 2022 and did not rate on GR.
12/2023: re-read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2020
Se deja leer pero no tiene "fuerza"
May 7, 2019
~ ARC provided by the author in exchange for my honest opinion
I really, really liked The Nature of the Game and I'm not that big of a fan of second chance novels, but I liked the way it was done here. What normally bothers me, is that the main character forgives too quickly. That isn't the case here. It was done in a timely manner that seems appropriate to me.I'm also a big fan of dual POV and ice hockey romance in general. So this book has all the things I like.I can absolutely recommend The Nature of the Game and also the first book, On the Ice, of this series. Though you can read The Nature of the Game without having to read On the Ice.
Rating: 4 stars
I really, really liked The Nature of the Game and I'm not that big of a fan of second chance novels, but I liked the way it was done here. What normally bothers me, is that the main character forgives too quickly. That isn't the case here. It was done in a timely manner that seems appropriate to me.I'm also a big fan of dual POV and ice hockey romance in general. So this book has all the things I like.I can absolutely recommend The Nature of the Game and also the first book, On the Ice, of this series. Though you can read The Nature of the Game without having to read On the Ice.
Rating: 4 stars
Want to read
May 8, 2019EDIT May 8:
I'm running TWO giveaways for a Stick Side prize pack! The first can be entered via Rafflecopter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...?. The second is being run on Instagram. Check out this post for more details: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxGrtacgKm6/. Entry deadline for both is May 13.
EDIT April 19:
The first excerpt is up! Check it out here -> http://bit.ly/2Vh6RtP
EDIT April 18:
Want to win an ARC? Check out this post -> http://bit.ly/2UzKwrP. Contest ends April 30.
EDIT April 11:
Cover reveal at Joyfully Jay with a giveaway for a chance to win an ARC! http://bit.ly/2Ubx1td. Contest ends April 15.
I'm running TWO giveaways for a Stick Side prize pack! The first can be entered via Rafflecopter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...?. The second is being run on Instagram. Check out this post for more details: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxGrtacgKm6/. Entry deadline for both is May 13.
EDIT April 19:
The first excerpt is up! Check it out here -> http://bit.ly/2Vh6RtP
EDIT April 18:
Want to win an ARC? Check out this post -> http://bit.ly/2UzKwrP. Contest ends April 30.
EDIT April 11:
Cover reveal at Joyfully Jay with a giveaway for a chance to win an ARC! http://bit.ly/2Ubx1td. Contest ends April 15.
December 11, 2021
Questo libro mi è piaciuto molto! Dopo il primo della serie, Sul ghiaccio, questo secondo romanzo è stato per me una conferma dell’autrice e della serie. Ho trovato La natura del gioco carinissimo, ho apprezzato nuovamente lo stile di scrittura, le atmosfere che mi hanno fatta sentire coinvolta, la traduzione, la storia e soprattutto i personaggi. Non sono una fan dei second-chance romance ma in questo caso mi sono sentita totalmente partecipe, ho fatto il tifo per Dan e Ash dall’inizio alla fine. La loro storia mi è piaciuta molto, mi ha fatta soffrire, esultare, intenerire e divertire. Loro due sono stati per me il punto forte del libro, li ho adorati entrambi, singoli e in coppia <3 anche se soprattutto Dan! Mi sono sentita più in empatia con lui per alcune affinità caratteriali, mi ci sono ritrovata e l’ho apprezzato molto. Più volte avrei voluto abbracciarlo fortissimo e il suo percorso all’interno del libro mi è piaciuto davvero molto; altrettanto comunque mi è piaciuto quello di Ash. E insieme sono proprio belli <3 <3
Ho apprezzato anche rivedere Alex&Mitch dal primo libro! *.* <3 scoprire come sono andate avanti le cose per loro e come si è evoluta la loro storia. E ho approvato come (quasi tutti) i personaggi secondari sono di supporto nei confronti di Dan e Ash.
Infine, ho adorato e mi ha toccato che nel romanzo si parli più volte di fiducia, nei confronti di chi ci sta accanto ma anche e soprattutto in noi stessə.
Consigliato così come è consigliata questa ottima serie! ^^
Ho apprezzato anche rivedere Alex&Mitch dal primo libro! *.* <3 scoprire come sono andate avanti le cose per loro e come si è evoluta la loro storia. E ho approvato come (quasi tutti) i personaggi secondari sono di supporto nei confronti di Dan e Ash.
Infine, ho adorato e mi ha toccato che nel romanzo si parli più volte di fiducia, nei confronti di chi ci sta accanto ma anche e soprattutto in noi stessə.
Consigliato così come è consigliata questa ottima serie! ^^
Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews