Stick Side Book 1: On the Ice by Amy Aislin

Stick Side Book 1

For college sophomore Mitch Greyson, determination and persistence are the name of the game if he wants to make it as a professional hockey player. A busy schedule of practices, games, classes, homework, two part-time jobs—and now, working with a tutor to help him pass the class he’s failing so that he can keep his scholarship—shouldn’t leave him with enough time to flirt with the NHL player in town. But that doesn’t stop him.

Placed on the injured reserve list until his broken arm heals, NHL defenseman Alex Dean is using the time off to be with his ailing grandfather and get a head start on the book he’s been commissioned to write. He doesn’t expect to get roped into a tutoring gig, especially not for cocky, smart-ass Mitch.

But Alex soon discovers that there’s more to Mitch than meets the eye...and he really likes what he sees. Only Alex doesn’t dare risk his NHL career by coming out, and a relationship between them would jeopardize Mitch’s chances with the organization too.

It looks impossible. Then again, the best things usually do...

On the Ice is an m/m contemporary romance featuring a flirty college hockey player who meets his match in a demisexual NHL player.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39341427-on-the-ice

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Mitch has been working his butt off for a long time. He is attending college on a partial scholarship for hockey, attends classes, has two jobs, and just so many other things to make his dreams come true. He wants to play professional hockey and wants a degree for the day he has to retire. And when his mom pulled away any financial support (and just support in general) when he told her what he wants to do rather than work for her, he knew he would have to work even harder to support himself. So things get a little complicated when his science brain doesn't seem to compute well when it comes to a creative writing class he has to take. He'll need all the help he can get including an unexpected tutor. After Alex broke his arm during his professional hockey game, he heads to Vermont to be closer to his sick grandfather as he waits to heal. He'll also get to use this time to work on the book he is set to write and meet with some old friends. And when his path crosses Mitch's one too many times, he'll come to realize that maybe they were always meant to meet. When Mitch first meets Alex he is flirty and very wishful to hook up with Alex. But Alex can see past the mask Mitch wears. The mask that protects Mitch from letting anyone in after being hurt by those who are supposed to love him. Mitch has met his match in Alex. Partly because Alex is also demisexual. He needs an emotional connection to feel attracted to someone. So if Mitch truly wants to have a chance to be with Alex, he has to take a chance and be himself for once. And every moment that Mitch spends with Alex, he finds himself wanting to put his heart on the line and take that chance. I loved Mitch and Alex's relationship. It was slow and sweet. Creating a friendship that slowly built up to a romantic relationship. Both have so much going on with them and it's hard to let people in. To give this spark between them any chance, they had to be with real with one another. It was truly a beautiful thing. I couldn't put their story down! So many bits and pieces at work as these two fell in love. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of this series!