Game Changers Book 3: Tough Guy by Rachel Reid

 

Game Changers Book 3

They have nothing in common—so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he’s with Fabian?

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it’s clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s starting to feel something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220966547-tough-guy

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Ryan is tired of his pretty crippling anxiety. He’s tired of constantly being traded. He’s really tired of fighting on the ice because that is what everyone expects of him because of his size. And if he is really honest with himself, he is pretty tired of hockey. But he can’t just simply quit the NHL. No, he’ll do what he has to and he’ll make the best of his new start with his new team in Toronto. But the last thing he expects is to run into Fabian. The boy he had a crush on growing up when he lived with Fabian and his family during a hockey season when he was a teenager. And now all these years later, turns out their chemistry is even stronger and this time they can actually do something about it. Fabian is a musician and if there is one thing he hates, it’s hockey. But when Ryan walks back into his life, lots of feelings come with it. And the more they spend time they spend together and learn about another, the harder it is to resist the connection between them. But it doesn’t make it easy for Fabian to watch Ryan do something it is clear he just doesn’t enjoy. But can he help Ryan realize there is more to his life than that? I was looking forward to Ryan’s story after seeing him in the previous book. I definitely wanted to learn more about him and was so glad he got a book! Overall, this was a great story and I loved getting cameos from other characters we’ve seen before! 

Scoring Chances Book 4: Delayed Penalty by Brigham Vaughn

Scoring Chances Book 4

The last thing Thad Racine needs is to fall for a guy playing for his brother's hockey team ...

As an ex-con, Thad’s had a rough life. Getting a job in the social media department of the Boston Harriers is his last-ditch effort at a fresh start.

He may not be raking in money like his previously estranged twin—the team’s GM—but he finally has a career he likes, a regular paycheck, and some stability. There’s only one if he screws around with anyone working for the Harriers, he’ll be fired.

The last thing he expects is to fall for Graham Pennington.

The golden boy. The high-scoring forward who’s a crucial part of the team. The assistant captain.

Oh yeah, and he’s straight.

Falling in love with his GM’s brother isn’t part of Graham’s five-year plan.

Graham knows what he find love and help lead his team to a Stanley Cup win.

So why do none of his relationships with women ever seem to work out?

After a totally unexpected but sizzling kiss with his friend Thad, he’s confused and a little conflicted. Has he been looking for love in all the wrong places?

Graham’s desire to be with Thad wars with his goal of helping the team find success. Despite Thad’s growing feelings, he’s terrified to risk his new career or the relationship he’s slowly rebuilding with his brother.

When the pressure from their secrets threatens their carefully laid plans, will they be ready to risk everything for love?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244434317-delayed-penalty

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I’ve been so excited for Thad’s story since we learned more about him and Gavin during Gavin’s book! Plus the little sneak peek we saw in the previous book about Thad and Graham. Now their story has arrived! Thad hasn’t had it easy in a long time, and when he comes to work for the social media team for the Harriers, he hopes not only to have a fresh start but to reconnect with his brother. But the beginning wasn’t easy and one person who noticed that especially? Graham. One of the guys on the team who held out a hand to Thad and soon they found themselves becoming friends. And it was great for a while. Until they kissed. Graham thought he had a plan he would follow but Thad has thrown it out the window. They spend the summer apart after that kiss but coming back Graham has realized a lot of things. And the most important? He wants to be with Thad. Thad has never had a serious relationship and didn’t realize it was something he could need or want until Graham. But he wants to try. For now, they’ll keep this blooming relationship between them as they figure out how to navigate the unfamiliar together, but there is no doubt what these two feel for one another. As long as they give themselves a chance to explore it. I really loved their story! I loved getting Thad’s point of view and really understanding what he went through and his complicated relationship with this brother. This was such a big step in his healing and he more than deserves some happiness, especially with Graham! Overall, another great book in this series. And with a few possible hints of future stories, I can’t wait to see who is next! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Game Changers Book 1: Game Changer by Rachel Reid

Game Changers Book 1

New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pre-game rituals very seriously. In this case, it’s not just a lucky smoothie he’s craving—it’s the man who made it.

Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, when a smoothie made by juice bar barista Kip Grady precedes Scott breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic...and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.

Kip knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, nevermind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.

Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220965585-game-changer

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

I’ve circled back to the beginning of the series at last! I now get to see where it all began. Scott has been hiding who he is for a very long time, and when he finds himself in a bit of a slump on the ice, he knows he needs to do something to get back in the groove of things. He just never expects that his good luck charm would be in the shape of a blueberry smoothie… and the cute guy who makes them. But like any hockey player, you can’t ignore when something works. So he goes back again and again…and it feels like maybe it isn’t the smoothie that is good luck but actually Kip. And soon Scott finds himself taking the biggest risk of all. A relationship with a man. One he feels deep down is worth the risk and what he has been waiting for all this time. But being in a secret relationship isn’t as easy as it sounds. Kip can’t believe that one, the cute guy who came into his workplace is into him, and two, that he is actually a famous hockey player! The more he gets to know Scott, the harder he falls. And being Scott’s secret? He knows Scott is worth it and that together they can figure it out. But the longer they are together and the deeper they fall for one another, Kip can’t help but start to feel the weight of the secret. Will it always be like this? I really loved going back to Scott’s story. I had skipped to Heated Rivalry and we knew Scott was a big influence near the end of that book. He changed it all for those who were scared. So to see how he got there, to see him fall in love and fight for their happiness was really sweet! I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!

Vipers Book 2: Sweet Venom by Rina Kent

 

Vipers Book 2

From the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Rina Kent comes a dangerously dark stalker hockey romance.

Can I outrun his merciless obsession?

I accidentally witnessed a brutal murder.

I froze, pretended I saw nothing, hoping I could leave it behind.

But my plan backfired, and my life spiraled downward.

Now, I’m the target of cold-blooded revenge.

Jude Callahan isn’t just a hockey god—he’s a devil no one dares to cross.

My existence disrupts his stardom, prestige, and possible serial killer career choice.

And he’s set out to make me pay for that moment of silence.

No matter how much I run or hide, he finds me, watching from the shadows.

Like a predator.

I thought he’d stop at the stalking.

Or even better, he’d kill me and finally end my misery.

But Jude has other plans.

He says I can’t die. I have to pay for my sins.

And just like that, he drags me into his depraved world, kicking and screaming.

This book can be read on its own but for better understanding of the world, it's recommended to read Beautiful Venom first.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/234319647-sweet-venom

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s Violet and Jude’s turn and I’ve been curious since the previous book how their story goes. We know a good chunk from the previous book of what is going on with Violet, so now we finally see her side. Along with a lot more we didn’t know! Violet has a stalker. She tries to brush it off at first but when he finally makes himself known, he tells her she needs to remember what she did. Violet’s life has not been easy. Her mother basically hated her and her childhood was filled with trauma. Even now. She tries to make herself invisible to those around her. Never liking any sort of attention. Her trauma is deep enough that she can even be paralyzed in fear if she is put in certain positions. And when she learns that her stalker is Jude, everything clicks. Because she was a witness to Jude’s mother’s bloody murder. And she froze so badly, she couldn’t even pick up her phone to call for help. She knows her days are limited if Jude wants revenge. But why is he hesitating? Violet wasn’t the only one who did nothing for Jude’s mom. So Jude has been hunting them down one by one. But Violet makes him pause. She isn’t scared of death yet she can’t look him in the eye. She surprises him at every turn and his want to get rid of her just turns to him wanting her close. If you read the previous book, you know what Violet goes through next, and it turns out there is someone else who wants Violet dead. But who? I really loved getting to know Violet and Jude. They are opposites in a lot of ways, yet at the same time, they have way more in common than you may think. We had some pretty interesting twists and turns in this book. And I’m so excited to get my hands on the next one!

Game Changers Book 6: The Long Game by Rachel Reid

 

Game Changers Book 6

The sequel is finally here! Shane and Ilya’s story, first seen in Heated Rivalry, continues in this long-awaited hockey romance from Rachel Reid.

To the world they are rivals, but to each other they are everything.

Ten years. 

That’s how long Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been seeing each other. How long they’ve been keeping their relationship a secret. From friends, from family…from the league. If Shane wants to stay at the top of his game, what he and Ilya share has to remain secret. He loves Ilya, but what if going public ruins everything? 

Ilya is sick of secrets. Shane has gotten so good at hiding his feelings, sometimes Ilya questions if they even exist. The closeness, the intimacy, even the risk that would come with being open about their relationship…Ilya wants it all. 

It’s time for them to decide what’s most important—hockey or love. 

It’s time to make a call. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220966428-the-long-game

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I couldn’t read Heated Rivalry and then not jump to their sequel! Shane and Ilya’s story continues and while they are happy and together, they are still hiding from the world. Only a few people know the truth of their relationship. But it’s becoming harder and harder to remain a secret. Not because anyone is on to them. The world is pretty oblivious and they have done their jobs right, but because they are finding it hard not to show everyone what they mean for one another. At times they are reminded why they decided to keep the secret in the first place. There are so few people out in the league and there have definitely been some issues. What if they harm their future in hockey forever? But then they are reminded of some of the good for those who have. It’s only a matter of time until something snaps and decisions have to be made. In the meantime, they will continue to love one another and be there for one another no matter what. I really loved seeing more of these two! There was so much more story left to tell for them. We wanted to see their future secure and when everyone found out about them. I loved seeing these two fall hard for one another even after all these years together. They never wavered even when things got challenging. A great way to end their story and series! Now I have to go back and read everyone else’s stories! Because it definitely looks like we got some good ones!

Game Changers Book 2: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid

Game Changers Book 2

Nothing interferes with pro hockey star Shane Hollander’s game.

Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that—definitely not the sexy rival he loves to hate.

Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. Publicly, they’re enemies. Privately, they can’t stop touching each other. 

The smart thing to do? Walk away, once a few secret hookups turn into a struggle to keep their relationship out of the press. The truth could ruin them both. But for Shane and Ilya, secrecy is soon no longer an option…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220966494-heated-rivalry

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

I’m usually a reader who likes to read a series in order. But with the hype of this particular book having a show that literally just came out and a sequel book that is the last in the series… yeah, I’m going to be jumping around just a bit. I’ve been seeing this story blow up and I decided I must check it out before I watch the show! And it was actually pretty great. I loved a good mm hockey romance, and this didn’t disappoint. Shane and Ilya have known one another since their rookie year. And we see exactly how that has played out for about ten years. The media has put them as rivals on the ice. They’re the best and they continue to prove it every time they are on the ice. But off the ice? There is a tension between them. One they end up exploring and continue to do so for many years until finally… something finally changes. How can it not? It’s clear these two feel something for one another but with the world they are currently in, change doesn’t seem to be happening much. And being the first is pretty scary. But eventually, they may just be brave enough to take a leap of faith. I really loved getting to know these two! Their banter was a lot of fun and I loved seeing them vulnerable with one another. It took them so long to figure out who they were as people and who they were to one another and then what to do with that. But clearly they felt something strong if they couldn’t shake one another off after so many years. I can’t wait to see how their story continues in their next book. And I can’t wait to see them translated to a tv show! I have a feeling it’s gonna be great! I also can’t wait to read the rest of this series too!

Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber

 

It starts with a class in an old movie theater.

Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor. Most students believe the Professor’s stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real. When she tracks down a local legend named the Watch Man, who can supposedly tell you when you’ll die, the world finally makes sense. Except that the Watch Man tells her she will die at midnight tomorrow unless she finds an ancient object called the Alchemical Heart.

With the clock ticking, Holland is pulled deeper into this magical world in the heart of Los Angeles—and into the path of a magnetic stranger. Everything about him feels like a bad idea, but he promises Holland that her sister sent him to protect her. As they chase clues and stories that take them closer to the Alchemical Heart, Holland realizes everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can’t figure out whom to trust, not even the Alchemical Heart will save her.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222706197-alchemy-of-secrets

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Holland has always been in love with stories and magic. And after taking a class in college about local legends and myths, it’s only convinced her that magic is real. She’s even working on her thesis around this. The Professor of this special course tells these stories to her students with the condition they don’t tell anyone about it. And when Holland comes across a trail to one of those stories, she can’t help but follow it. This is how she meets the Watch Man. Who tells her that she will die at midnight the following day unless she finds a magical object called the Alchemical Heart. With the clock ticking, Holland races to find this heart and what it means. It leads her down the path of more magic than she can imagine. But with a few hiccups. Like two men rushing to her aid saying they’ve both been sent by her sister to protect her. It’s a battle of figuring out who to trust every time she meets someone on her path. Can she find what she is looking for in time? This was a really fun story! It’s this race against the clock as you try to figure the clues out with Holland. But also a game of tying to figure out who is actually on Holland’s side. Not gonna lie, I hit a point of wanting to shake her and tell her to trust no one cause it seems she may have been better off on her own! But we had some pretty interesting twists and turns and overall, I really enjoyed the story. And with the looks of a promise of a sequel, I’m very curious to see what story, and maybe even who’s story, could possibly be next.