A hockey love story with a perfect win

A barn burner game of hockey and two incredibly gorgeous ex-lovers make for a perfect read this Pride month. It doesn’t matter whether you know how to dribble a puck or score that longshot goal. Your heart will melt in celebrated Canadian author Amy Aislin’s latest hockey romance, Game Plan. While the game of ice hockey is the main premise of this book, there is constant longing and heartburn each time ex-lovers Matt Shore (38), a sexy six-feet-two-inches hockey coach, and Pierce Langley-Brown, a divorced man cross paths. To complicate matters further, Pierce’s son Jason Gauthier is in Matt’s hockey team, and one of his star players.

Matt is still nursing a broken heart after his and Pierce’s abrupt fallout two years ago. Pierce was going through a messy divorce with his wife at that time. He had not given Matt any explanation, except a terse reply. “I’m moving to Quebec,” Pierce had explained, shoving a box of Matt’s clothes at him without meeting his gaze. It’s where Jason is, so it’s where I need to be.”

As luck would have it, the two men meet again one day under different circumstances. Jason trips and falls during a practice session in the ice rink. Matt has no clue that Jason Gauthier, who goes by his mother’s maiden surname, is his ex-flame Pierce’s son. He rushes to meet his son and sees Matt again.

Author Amy Aislin breathes a soul into every character in this story. Her writing is crisp and concise. There are a few instances of innuendoes, “Not to worry. We’ll build your stamina in no time.” But these lines lend more colour and character to the banter between Matt and Pierce. The author touches upon Pierce Langley Brown’s depression, his son’s accident, the troubled father-son relationship, and loneliness with sensitivity without being judgmental even once. Meanwhile, the irresistible Matt has his share of flings and a series of failed short-term relationships in this moving modern love story. The two ex-lovers cannot keep their eyes and thoughts off each other for a single moment. Is it a mere coincidence? Will they give love a second chance or does Cupid have a different “game plan”?

A few pages into the book, and you have all the answers. Including the reason why author Amy has a fan following of such epic proportions. A throbbing game of ice hockey plus adorable characters and the Pride rainbow makes for a big celly this season!