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Stick Side #5.5
Shutout
Shawn Staples hasn’t seen his teenage BFF—who also holds the title of his teenage crush—in years. So when Carter Caulfield walks through the door at a New Year’s Eve party, Shawn is unprepared for those old feelings to resurface and equally unprepared for Carter to return those feelings.
But they live in different countries, and they both have demanding jobs. Can they make it work without caving into the pressures of a long-distance relationship?
This novella was previously released in the Pucking Around anthology. The content has not changed.
But they live in different countries, and they both have demanding jobs. Can they make it work without caving into the pressures of a long-distance relationship?
This novella was previously released in the Pucking Around anthology. The content has not changed.
78 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2023
10 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Amy Aislin
38 books924 followersAmy's lived with her head in the clouds since she first picked up a book as a child, and being fluent in two languages means she's read a lot of books! She first picked up a pen on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class had to stay inside for recess. Tales of treasure hunts with her classmates eventually morphed into love stories between men, and she's been writing ever since. She writes evenings and weekends—or whenever she isn't at her full-time day job saving the planet at Canada's largest environmental non-profit.
An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram and Twitter, or sign up for her infrequent newsletter here: http://bit.ly/AmyAislinNewsletter
An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram and Twitter, or sign up for her infrequent newsletter here: http://bit.ly/AmyAislinNewsletter
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 11, 2024
2.75⭐
Oh, yes, I remember this series and this author now. It's the series that has a really good couple - Dean and Gray - but has absolutely no smut whatsoever. The little bitty smut that was present was FTB and I think that was in 1 book alone.
The story itself.
Shawn and Carter were childhood besties and now that they're both professional hockey players (well, Carter isn't anymore), they meet again after years of not seeing each other and both single, but this time there are sparks flying.
"They reached out at the same time, and in the next moment, Shawn was being swallowed into Carter’s arms.
Big arms. Thick arms. Strong arms. Arms that crushed Shawn to Carter and had him feeling every defined ridge of his abdomen and chest."
That meet-up was cute and promising, the chemistry was there, I was looking forward to it, but then - A YEAR goes by where the only thing these guys do is meet up ONCE, just kiss and then wait for each other. For one damn year. Who's gonna believe that??
A few texts and a few promises and let's just wait indefinitely until we can find the time to meet up and stay completely celibate in the meantime? Hmm. 🤔
After so many hurdles they finally manage to come up with a solution and move in together
“I didn’t spend a year falling in love with you only for you to get your own place once you’re finally within spitting distance,” Shawn went on. “You’re moving in with me and you’re going to like it.”
and when they finally find the time in their hectic schedules to get intimate... Nothing happened on-page.
I mean, it's a cute story and it's fine, not every story has to have sex, I get it, but I mean the whole thing is ridiculous - waiting for a year and I'm waiting too, and then I'm waiting some more and I don't even get an ass slap. Nothing.
"Then he kissed him, and kissed him some more. They did eventually get to the chilling and talking . . .
Later."
😐
Oh, yes, I remember this series and this author now. It's the series that has a really good couple - Dean and Gray - but has absolutely no smut whatsoever. The little bitty smut that was present was FTB and I think that was in 1 book alone.
The story itself.
Shawn and Carter were childhood besties and now that they're both professional hockey players (well, Carter isn't anymore), they meet again after years of not seeing each other and both single, but this time there are sparks flying.
"They reached out at the same time, and in the next moment, Shawn was being swallowed into Carter’s arms.
Big arms. Thick arms. Strong arms. Arms that crushed Shawn to Carter and had him feeling every defined ridge of his abdomen and chest."
That meet-up was cute and promising, the chemistry was there, I was looking forward to it, but then - A YEAR goes by where the only thing these guys do is meet up ONCE, just kiss and then wait for each other. For one damn year. Who's gonna believe that??
A few texts and a few promises and let's just wait indefinitely until we can find the time to meet up and stay completely celibate in the meantime? Hmm. 🤔
After so many hurdles they finally manage to come up with a solution and move in together
“I didn’t spend a year falling in love with you only for you to get your own place once you’re finally within spitting distance,” Shawn went on. “You’re moving in with me and you’re going to like it.”
and when they finally find the time in their hectic schedules to get intimate... Nothing happened on-page.
I mean, it's a cute story and it's fine, not every story has to have sex, I get it, but I mean the whole thing is ridiculous - waiting for a year and I'm waiting too, and then I'm waiting some more and I don't even get an ass slap. Nothing.
"Then he kissed him, and kissed him some more. They did eventually get to the chilling and talking . . .
Later."
😐
January 4, 2024
It was whatever
January 11, 2025
…………. 4.5 stars ………….
Shutout was so sweet! I kind of loved that Shawn and Carter kept having these missed connections and they built their relationship over texts and phone calls and little stolen moments together. They were so sweet and just the fact that everyone around them, from their parents and siblings to friends and teammates, was rooting for them made this even sweeter. This whole story just felt so warm and cozy. It’s getting a solid four and a half stars!
Shutout was so sweet! I kind of loved that Shawn and Carter kept having these missed connections and they built their relationship over texts and phone calls and little stolen moments together. They were so sweet and just the fact that everyone around them, from their parents and siblings to friends and teammates, was rooting for them made this even sweeter. This whole story just felt so warm and cozy. It’s getting a solid four and a half stars!
October 9, 2025
This universe is one of my comfort places 🥰
February 9, 2024
boi, that story was soft, sad, and sweet (the triple s)
long distance relationship isn't easy, but keeping in touch and communication are key. it also proves the strength of your feelings. shawn and carter proved to be strong.
falling (harder) over text is easy, as dean, noted. you get to truly be yourself and lay bare to the other party.
this novella has many memorable quotes and actions i really loved.
long distance relationship isn't easy, but keeping in touch and communication are key. it also proves the strength of your feelings. shawn and carter proved to be strong.
falling (harder) over text is easy, as dean, noted. you get to truly be yourself and lay bare to the other party.
this novella has many memorable quotes and actions i really loved.
Read
March 24, 2024Aha!! I thought this story was familiar... turns out I read it in the Pucking Around anthology.
January 2, 2024
(3,5 stars rated down) Shawn Staples is a defenseman playing for Toronto, attending his teammates' (Alex and Mitch from the first book in the series, On the Ice) New Year's Party solo, as he has just recently broke up with his girlfriend. He gets unexpected blast from the past in the form of Carter Caulfield, his best friend from youth hockey days and his first crush, being randomly invited to the same party. The two of them reconnect and when Carter leaves immediately after as he has a plane to catch back to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he lives and works, promising to stay in touch with Shawn as they agree to see each other again the first opportunity they get. The first opportunity comes three months later, with Toronto playing in Carolina, where they have a very limited time together after the game
For the majority of the story Shawn and Carter are apart, trying their hand at the long distance relationship, with very few and far between opportunities to meet and spend time together, which fall through at the last minute due to life getting in the way of their plans. As the time passes Shawn starts feeling frustrated and tired with the whole situation and missed opportunities, but despite of that he is committed to making things work between Carter and him. Then for Christmas, almost a year later, Carter surprises him with a "present."
Despite the fact that there weren't many opportunities to witness actual interactions between Shawn and Carter's this was a sweet and enjoyable story with likable main characters. I don't think I've read the rest of the books in this series just yet, but for people that did (and did enjoy it), I would assume seeing Alex and Mitch settled down the line would also be a nice bonus treat.
Themes: single POV, childhood best friends, teenage crush, reunion, hockey player/retired hockey player, long distance relationship, NHL
For the majority of the story Shawn and Carter are apart, trying their hand at the long distance relationship, with very few and far between opportunities to meet and spend time together, which fall through at the last minute due to life getting in the way of their plans. As the time passes Shawn starts feeling frustrated and tired with the whole situation and missed opportunities, but despite of that he is committed to making things work between Carter and him. Then for Christmas, almost a year later, Carter surprises him with a "present."
Despite the fact that there weren't many opportunities to witness actual interactions between Shawn and Carter's this was a sweet and enjoyable story with likable main characters. I don't think I've read the rest of the books in this series just yet, but for people that did (and did enjoy it), I would assume seeing Alex and Mitch settled down the line would also be a nice bonus treat.
Themes: single POV, childhood best friends, teenage crush, reunion, hockey player/retired hockey player, long distance relationship, NHL
July 5, 2025
3.5/5 ⭐
Shutout is a novella set in Amy Aislin's Stick Side series universe. Although it's listed as book 5.5, it could be enjoyed as a standalone. Here's what you can expect from Shawn and Carter:
💚 MM contemporary romance
💚 Third person single point of view
💚 Guaranteed happily ever after
💚 Childhood friends to lovers
💚 Professional hockey player and former professional hockey player
💚 Pressures of a long-distance relationship
Shawn Staples is a character we've met a few times during the original Stick Side series, and I'm glad he gets the opportunity to get his own happily ever after! He's always been supportive of his teammates, so it's great that he gets his own chance to shine. This is a relatively easy read, but for a novella, I feel like it focused more on the pressures of maintaining a long-distance relationship with the schedules Shawn and Carter had than on their relationship themselves. It made for a bit of a dragged out read that I probably wouldn't come back to read again. For fans of the series, I'd definitely recommend reading it at least once because you get some great Alex and Mitch content. Overall, this didn't leave the same impression on me as the full-length books in the series have, but of course I'm a fan of Amy's ever-expanding universe!
Shutout is a novella set in Amy Aislin's Stick Side series universe. Although it's listed as book 5.5, it could be enjoyed as a standalone. Here's what you can expect from Shawn and Carter:
💚 MM contemporary romance
💚 Third person single point of view
💚 Guaranteed happily ever after
💚 Childhood friends to lovers
💚 Professional hockey player and former professional hockey player
💚 Pressures of a long-distance relationship
Shawn Staples is a character we've met a few times during the original Stick Side series, and I'm glad he gets the opportunity to get his own happily ever after! He's always been supportive of his teammates, so it's great that he gets his own chance to shine. This is a relatively easy read, but for a novella, I feel like it focused more on the pressures of maintaining a long-distance relationship with the schedules Shawn and Carter had than on their relationship themselves. It made for a bit of a dragged out read that I probably wouldn't come back to read again. For fans of the series, I'd definitely recommend reading it at least once because you get some great Alex and Mitch content. Overall, this didn't leave the same impression on me as the full-length books in the series have, but of course I'm a fan of Amy's ever-expanding universe!
June 10, 2025
I liked that this focused on the issues of long-distance relationship (mainly because one is a hockey player where the schedule is no joke) and how to make it work.
Oftentimes, in a book, the problem of two characters to stay together is because of the long-distance. Whereas we know that in real life, couples make it work! I mean my parents spend time apart too at one time when my Dad had to study abroad, and it was the time of only letters and international phone calls! Unlike now when you can text your significant other every single time.
So I am happy that this one focused on that. A bit too short of a romance, because this is only a novella-length, but still enjoyable enough.
Oftentimes, in a book, the problem of two characters to stay together is because of the long-distance. Whereas we know that in real life, couples make it work! I mean my parents spend time apart too at one time when my Dad had to study abroad, and it was the time of only letters and international phone calls! Unlike now when you can text your significant other every single time.
So I am happy that this one focused on that. A bit too short of a romance, because this is only a novella-length, but still enjoyable enough.
March 6, 2024
What you’ll get:
Pro hockey player x retired hockey player
Friends to lovers
New Year’s Eve / Christmas
Bisexual rep
Setting: Canada & North Carolina
This was exactly what I wanted and needed. This series is undeniably solid and I wish so very much the rest of the books were on audiobook so I could have slammed them ages ago.
Carter and Shawn were friends as kids and both ended up pro hockey players and lost touch. They reunite at a friend’s NYE party and away we go.
I thought this was really cute. You can feel the frustration of the missed visits and mainly text based communication. These two were nothing but all in the moment they reunited so it was just all waiting for the right time.
Pro hockey player x retired hockey player
Friends to lovers
New Year’s Eve / Christmas
Bisexual rep
Setting: Canada & North Carolina
This was exactly what I wanted and needed. This series is undeniably solid and I wish so very much the rest of the books were on audiobook so I could have slammed them ages ago.
Carter and Shawn were friends as kids and both ended up pro hockey players and lost touch. They reunite at a friend’s NYE party and away we go.
I thought this was really cute. You can feel the frustration of the missed visits and mainly text based communication. These two were nothing but all in the moment they reunited so it was just all waiting for the right time.
December 31, 2023
4.5 stars
Read as part of Pucking Around: An MM Holiday Hockey Anthology
Read as part of Pucking Around: An MM Holiday Hockey Anthology
Read
January 4, 2024Very short, no drama, very low steam. Still good, but not very filling!
January 13, 2024
Delayed gratification
Geez, these guys really had the patience of Job to pull this love story off, but it was great to see them get their very busy HEA.
Geez, these guys really had the patience of Job to pull this love story off, but it was great to see them get their very busy HEA.
January 21, 2024
A cute lil no spice Christmas novella from the world of stick side. Did I remember either of these characters? No but its ok bc it was sweet.
February 22, 2024
Read this as part of the picking around anthology. Always enjoy books by this author.
March 18, 2024
Lovely short story about the struggle of long distance relationships and love that is stronger.
March 26, 2024
4.0⭐️
Read
April 16, 2024It was fun to revisit this series, but given these guys' history a longer story might have been warranted.
May 16, 2024
3.5 stars
June 19, 2024
3.5 stars
July 10, 2024
A super quick novella in the Stick Side series that follows Shawn a very minor side character in books 4 & 5 as he finds love with Carter his teenage crush. These two are super cute together and show that when it's the right person you'll do what it takes to be together. The only reasons I'm rating this lower is due to it being a novella even though it's super cute it didn't reach my top tier for a one.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews