I’m not sure my review can do justice to this book. I loved this story so much; it really twisted me up. There is so much emotional stuff going on – not just between Mitch and Alex, but also with their families. I think I used nearly an entire box of tissues while I read it; there were both sad and happy tears. I knew before the first chapter ended that this was a story I was going to love.

The blurb for the book is great but there is so much more to the story. Mitch’s supportive father, his witch of a mother and his brother who won’t speak to him all factor into who Mitch is and why he puts on a front with everyone. Only a few people really know the real Mitch.

This is a really slow-burn romance. When they first meet, Mitch comes on to Alex really hard but Alex just isn’t interested. It isn’t until Alex begins to see flashes of the real Mitch that he even wants to be friends. We learn fairly early on that Alex is demisexual – he doesn’t experience sexual attraction unless he’s formed a strong emotional bond with the other person – but Mitch wants a relationship with him anyway and he’s willing to invest the time needed for Alex to find out if he can develop such a bond with Mitch.

The author lets us know that Mitch and Alex were side characters in an earlier novella of hers and she never intended to write a book for them but they just wouldn’t leave her alone (and I’m so glad they didn’t). Because they were already married in the earlier book On The Ice takes place back in 2008/09 when they first meet. The epilogue takes us to 2015 and I loved how it wrapped things up for us so that we know how Mitch and Alex are making their lives together work with their crazy schedules.

This is a story that’s going to stick with me for a while.

Reviews for Amy Aislin

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“Good game against Colgate,” Alex said, pocketing his phone.The mask slipped off Mitch’s face. “You were there?”

Alex shook his head. “Watched it on TV.”

Holy crap! An NHL player—Mitch’s hockey crush, no less—had watched his game. At a loss for words, Mitch stood there blinking at Alex like a putz.

“You’ve got impressive foot work,” Alex said.

Mitch continued to blink at him.

“You skated circles around Colgate and that goal in the third?” Alex smiled wide. “You broke Colgate’s end as if the defensemen were pylons. It was beautiful.”

“I—” Mitch cleared his throat. “Well, McCall passed me the puck at just the right time, so… I mean, I did figure skating for years and…” He had no idea what he was trying to say.

“Huh. I know a couple of guys who did some figure skating after their game slipped and it helped them rebound. It’s something I’ve been considering to improve my foot speed.” Alex leaned a shoulder against the wall and crossed his arms, but his cast got in the way so he ended up shoving one hand in his pocket and letting the casted one dangle. “Your training shows in your footwork. How else has it helped your game?”

In total disbelief that an NHL player was asking him for advice, Mitch said, “Figure skating is about using edges and your body to change direction on the ice. It’s about learning to cut a corner or to pivot the right way while maintaining your speed. It made me a better skater.”

“It shows.”

God, the compliments were going to go to Mitch’s head.

“What made you decide to stick with hockey instead of figure skating?”

Mitch shrugged and told the truth. “I liked hockey better.”

“Could you do a triple axel in full hockey gear?” Alex asked, a teasing grin on his face.

Mitch had to laugh. “I’ve never tried.” But now he was itching to.

“No? What about a—” Alex held his index finger up and moved it in small circles, “—with the leg out in front?”

“A sit spin?” Mitch scratched his head. “I actually think that one might be harder than the triple axel in full hockey gear.”

They stood there smiling at each other for a moment, Alex’s eyes the color of the Green Mountains in summer. The man was too gorgeous for words and he was nice to boot. Mitch couldn’t help staring at Alex’s mouth, red and surprisingly soft in an otherwise rugged face.

Alex cleared his throat and edged around Mitch. “I’ve got to get back to my friend.”

“Wait, I—” The hallway was empty so Mitch plastered his sex smile back on his face, walked right into Alex’s personal space, and put a hand on Alex’s hip. “Why don’t you come over tonight and we’ll—”

Alex palmed Mitch’s shoulders and pushed him away. “Look, kid—”

“I’m not a kid.”

“Mitch.” Alex held him at arm’s length. “Whatever it is you’re trying to do here, it’s not going to happen. I don’t even know you.”

“What difference does that make?”

Alex dropped his arms. “I don’t jump into bed with people I don’t know. Hell, I don’t even jump into bed with people I do know.”

Alex wasn’t saying I’m not gay, but it did sound like he was saying I’m asexual or something similar, which left Mitch exactly nowhere.