Reviewed by Susan65
Title: The Play of His Life
Author: Amy Aislin
Heroes: Christian/Riley
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 149 Pages
Publisher: MLR Press
Release Date: April 28, 2017
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Former best friends turned lovers Christian and Riley haven’t seen or spoken to each other in six years…is there a better time than the holiday season to reconnect with your favorite person?
The last person Christian wants to run into on a visit home to spend time with his mom over the holidays is his former best friend-turned-lover-turned-ex. But there Riley is, in all his tall, chiseled, blondness. The same guy who walked out on him six years ago, breaking his heart in the process. Who knew he’s still in love with the jerk? (Oh yeah, he did. What? Who says denial isn’t healthy?)
Two years ago, Riley was injured out of the NHL, but he’s got his own bakery now and a quiet life selling quiches and cupcakes to his customers. Then Christian unexpectedly walks back into his life, forcing Riley to question his choices. Especially that one choice he made six years ago that walked him out of Christian’s life. Now if only he had the courage to tell a boy how he really feels about him…
Review: I loved Christian and Riley’s story. Of course, they play hockey, they are friends to lovers, they are hot in the sack, and they are already out and proud. So many of my favorite tropes that I was destined to read and love this book. Even though the story starts with them being estranged, I was thrilled that it didn’t dominate the storytelling. It was enough that they eventually talked it out, but I am so glad they didn’t dwell on it for the whole book. This was another case of Susan loving on a sweet sports book. I must be on a roll considering fluff is not my go-to sports romance, normally.
But, although this is sweet and romantic, it is also fun, and you know there are underlying issues that the guys need to work out before they can move on, together. There was no meeting and falling in love, they’ve already been best friends since they were seven and in love since they were fifteen. The issues occurred when they were in college and life and hockey got in the way. They never fell out of love, they just never communicated. That is realistic to me, and I believe it truly happens to the best of us. Sometimes we think it’s better to not say anything if you are afraid of the answer.
In this case, our boys are so freaking cute, and also steaming hot together. Love and sex was never their problem, but it takes a very cool, meddling mother for the two of them to realize that the past belongs in the past, and in order to find that elusive happy ending and finally be together then they need to learn to talk it out and be honest. They do.
Overall Impression: I really liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*
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