Reviewed by Sammy
TITLE: The Inside Edge
AUTHOR: Ashlyn Kane
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 240 Pages
RELEASE DATE: December 1, 2020
BLURB:
What does a work-life balance look like to recently retired professional athletes?
Ex-hockey player Nate Overton is trying to find out, but dipping his toes in the gay dating scene post-divorce is a daunting prospect even without the news that his show is on thin ice. Before he can tackle either issue, he skates headfirst into another problem—his new cohost. Former figure skater Aubrey Chase is the embodiment of a spoiled rich playboy. He’s also flamboyant, sharp, and hot as sin.
Aubrey knows how important it is to get off on the right foot. He’s just not very good at it outside the rink. Having spent his life desperate for attention, he’ll do anything to get it—even the wrong kind.
For Nate and Aubrey, opposites don’t so much attract as collide at center ice. But while Nate’s everything Aubrey has scrupulously avoided—until now—Aubrey falls suddenly head over heels, and Nate’s only looking for a rebound fling. Can Aubrey convince Nate to risk his heart again, or will their unexpected connection be checked at the first sign of trouble?
REVIEW:
Aubrey is determined to make the right kind of splash at his new job after all he isn’t battling narcissistic tendencies by gong to therapy for nothing. Sure maybe he should’ve been a bit more careful when sniping at the amazingly handsome hulk, Nate Overton, the first night. But hey, the ex-hockey player thought just because Aubrey was an Olympic winning figure skater he knew nothing about the sport of hockey—au contraire! Still his comment about Nate needing to get laid while on a hot mic was overstepping as his new boss told him right after the show. Now, Aubrey is determined to bring Nate around to at least tolerating him. Great friends they may never be but surely they can make the show a success.
Nate is dealing with all kinds of grief—from a new co-anchor who likes to snark to finalizing his divorce, the errant statement he needed to get laid isn’t far from the truth. The problem is Nate has never been a one night stand kind of guy. So when Aubrey proposes a no strings attached introduction with himself as the date Nate falls right in line. The only problem is it turns out not to be just the one time and somebody needs to tell Nate and Aubrey’s hearts that no strings means not falling for your co-anchor.
Ashlyn Kane’s The Inside Edge follows the retired stars of two of my favorite sports, ice hockey and figure skating. Nate has just managed to lose a boorish, homophobic co-anchor only to receive one that is snarky, highly opinionated and gorgeous. The fact that Aubrey knows his stuff is a bonus point. While Nate may still be licking his wounds over the dissolution of his marriage, his ex-husband has moved on leaving Nate to ponder why he can’t seem to do the same. The main problem is Nate isn’t a one night stand kind of guy. So getting his ex out of his system by sleeping around isn’t going to work. He caves stability, companionship and one day, hopefully a family. But Aubrey tells him he just has to get back in the saddle and what better way than to give in to the heat they both feel when they are around each other. Before long both men are trying to convince themselves that they aren’t as interested in each other as their libidos and, yes, their hearts are trying to tell them they are.
The Inside Edge is all about second chances. For Nate it’s a possible new love—a lasting commitment. For Aubrey, it’s finally being someone special in the right way. But the job is going to get in the way for both men because things are about to happen at the network beyond either of their controls and it will put in jeopardy their fledgling relationship. Nate is definitely every man and woman’s dream of a gallant and kindhearted romantic lead. He takes care of Aubrey and treats him so well that it cracks that crusty exterior around Aubrey’s heart pretty quickly. Plus Nate and kids is just about perfect—those scenes where he plays with his best friend’s child are just precious.
Aubrey, despite his attempts at being aloof and sarcastic, is actually a real softie inside and so easily wounded. Yes, he thinks highly of himself and yes, he often makes everything about himself but still there is a tenderness about him that is very alluring. Nate sees that about Aubrey despite him trying to hide his vulnerability and that makes all the difference in the world. These two are a pretty perfect match.
The Inside Edge is a sports centric romance between two polar opposites who both want and deserve a second chance at love. It is funny, poignant, at times, and very tender—a lovely story from beginning to end.
RATING: 
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