Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: The Play of His Life
AUTHOR: Amy Aislin
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 147 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 21, 2020
BLURB:
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?
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:
Inevitable.
If ever there was a couple that was inevitable, it would be Christian Dufresne and Riley Deschamps. They’ve gone through so many ups and downs and heartbreaks, but now they’ve got one last shot to get it right. The Play of His Life is the touching story of that second chance, a love story that starts with so much hurt and regret but progresses to a tale of two men devoted to each other and committed to making it work this time.
Christian and Riley became best buds when they were seven years old and evolved into boyfriends in high school. Although they were in love, they just couldn’t get the timing right after graduation, with college, hockey camp, jobs in other cities, and the stress of a long–distance relationship. The final nail in the coffin came six years ago when Riley disappeared from Christian’s bed and his life one morning and never returned. He left a trail of heartbreak and confusion for Christian to muddle through.
Jump to present-day: an injury upended Riley’s pro hockey career so he now co-owns a bakery in the boys’ hometown in Ontario, where Christian is visiting his mom for Christmas. Sneaky-pants mom sends Christian on an errand to buy some bread at the, ahem, new bakery in town. Their surprise reunion is amusing. Who thought a baguette could change two lives? (Well, apparently mom did.)
Christian and Riley make this story sparkle. They are strong yet tender and have a comfortable familiarity that stems from lifelong friendship. That long, strong history gives them each a sentimentality that plays out with some items like a scrapbook, jewelry, a nickname, and a tattoo all with special, sometimes secret meanings. Their chemistry with each other is supercharged, too. Years of pent-up emotion, perhaps. The sex is steamy and loving with fun and laughter.
The only angst comes from a communication breakdown you can see coming a mile away. It’s frustrating, but fortunately, short-lived. Both men are avoiding talking about the future. They’re living in an idealistic bubble over the holidays and neither wants to burst it, afraid of rejection and pain. But in the end, both are willing to make the necessary sacrifices to stay together.
I’d like to point out that there is no hockey in this book other than some time on the neighboring lake. I love hockey but since this isn’t a hockey book I don’t miss it. This is a cozy holiday romance in which one MC is a retired hockey player. As part of Riley’s backstory, he was an out professional hockey player – not out to the public, but his teammates, coaches, and managers all knew he was gay during his years on the ice and didn’t blink an eye. It’s a welcome change to read about a professional athlete who wasn’t closeted.
The Play of His Life is a sweet Christmas romance that can be enjoyed anytime of year. It’s novella length so when you have a few spare hours, curl up next to the fire, or relax in the hammock, or stretch out by the pool and treat yourself to this enjoyable tale.
RATING: 
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