The Nature of the Game by Amy Aislin

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?

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
This is a wonderful second-chance romance. I felt comfortable with the characters right from the very beginning. That actually surprised me because in the first book in this series, Dan isn’t shown in the best light. so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about him. Turns out he is a really good guy who made a bad decision which only led to heartbreak.

The story stitches between the present day to six years in the past when Dan and Ash first met. At first, I didn’t want the story to go back to the past, but I quickly changed my mind. It was fun being with Ash and Dan as they met. They are so comfortable with each other and it was a pleasure to see them fall in love. This is a couple I loved being with, even during the bad times.

The crux of this story is whether a couple can take second chance and move on after a betrayal and a broken heart. Sometimes a happily ever after is all the sweeter if the couple has had to fight for it. The Nature of the Game is a great story.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, and follows on from book #1 where Alex and Mitch got their happily ever after. As the story unfolds, we learn just how they tie in with both Ash and Dan. As these two get their second chance at love, we discover just how poorly Dan has been treated by his mother. It is rare for a book to have such an unjust woman at the head of a family, but wow, is it done with style – move over Miranda Priestly!

As Ash has to deal with his sexuality becoming public knowledge, he also has to come to terms with his life being intrinsically linked with his first love – even though Dan seems to be repentant, how can one forgive someone for disappearing without trace? But he has to admit that Dan is certainly not a happy man, and that he is finally explaining why and what will change in the future. I loved that although it took time for them to communicate, they did finally take the time and the effort to get over the past and consider a new and happy relationship.

I found the hints about Kinsey rather intriguing and am very happy that I have the next installment waiting for me on my Kindle!

Also Available in the Stick Side Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the On the Ice Blog Tour.

Amy started writing on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class was forced to stay inside for recess. Tales of adventures with her classmates quickly morphed into tales of adventures with the characters in her head. Based in the suburbs of Toronto, Amy is a marketer/fundraiser at a large environmental non-profit in Toronto by day, and a writer by night. Book enthusiast, animal lover and (very) amateur photographer, her interests are many and varied, including travelling, astronomy, ecology, and baking. She binge watches too much anime, and loves musical theater, Julie Andrews, the Backstreet Boys, and her hometown of Oakville, Ontario.

Connect with Amy

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Amy Aislin’s Readers Facebook Group


Brought to you by

Veronica & Ruthie reviewed their personal copies of The Nature of the Game (Stick Side #2) by Amy Aislin for this post.