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apolen's review
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Suicide, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
lmeierhoff's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This book had me hooked from the beginning. I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow over the years. I also liked that there’s no big 3rd act breakup because the tension is mostly external to them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Grief
shinysue's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wow this is a really good read. It started out as all smut, and the book is completely focused on their relationship. Eventually a small plot emerges as they figure out how to make things work. And it was done well, very low angst even with the high emotions. This book is incredibly well done, very well executed.
The only issue i had was how the author did absolutely no research into Russian culture. And the narrator probably should have googled how to pronounce the one phrase he had to say in Russian.
The only issue i had was how the author did absolutely no research into Russian culture. And the narrator probably should have googled how to pronounce the one phrase he had to say in Russian.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
cluckieduck's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Well, this certainly lived up to the hype (possibly surpassed) for me! I found Game Changer just OK but had heard so many good reviews about Book 2 and the absolute hotness that is Ilya & Shane...I am in love.
After reading the two books, I find her writing definitely tilts smut > story, but Shane & Ilya hooked me in right from the prologue. The fact that this book spans YEARS is absolutely captivating (unlike the 1/2 season of instalove we got with Scott & Kip - not that their story wasn't cute!), and getting to see Shane & Ilya's growing "rivaly" from their first foray in Juniors through their current NHL career was a really smart narrative. It really sells the uneasy infatuation they have with each other and we get to peel back the onion alongside both of them as they grow more and more in love with one another.
While it is a standalone, I liked how it tied into Game Changer with the little tidbits that popped up, like the playoffs, awards night, and Book 1 spoilerthe impact of Scott coming out . It's not a typical romantic HEA ending, but I'm so excited that Shane & Ilya's relationship gets a second entry with The Long Game.
After reading the two books, I find her writing definitely tilts smut > story, but Shane & Ilya hooked me in right from the prologue. The fact that this book spans YEARS is absolutely captivating (unlike the 1/2 season of instalove we got with Scott & Kip - not that their story wasn't cute!), and getting to see Shane & Ilya's growing "rivaly" from their first foray in Juniors through their current NHL career was a really smart narrative. It really sells the uneasy infatuation they have with each other and we get to peel back the onion alongside both of them as they grow more and more in love with one another.
While it is a standalone, I liked how it tied into Game Changer with the little tidbits that popped up, like the playoffs, awards night, and Book 1 spoiler
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Bullying, Grief, Mental illness, Homophobia, and Dementia
sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
After recently finishing listening to ROLE MODEL, I decided to re-listen to HEATED RIVALRY by Rachel Reid. This is book 2 in The Game Changers series.
I just love Ilya and Shane's enemies to lovers story so much. They spend so much time physically apart both because of secret relationship, and as hockey players on opposing teams, they are there for each other as much as possible. Be it by text, phone call, video calls, and those rare times that they can physically be in the same place.
There is so much caretaking in this book. It really comes through when Ilya offers to make Shane a quick meal after one of their interludes. Shane notices that without being asked, Ilya got Shane a ginger ale, while he got himself a Coke. This scene just gave me all warm and cozy.
I just love Ilya and Shane's enemies to lovers story so much. They spend so much time physically apart both because of secret relationship, and as hockey players on opposing teams, they are there for each other as much as possible. Be it by text, phone call, video calls, and those rare times that they can physically be in the same place.
There is so much caretaking in this book. It really comes through when Ilya offers to make Shane a quick meal after one of their interludes. Shane notices that without being asked, Ilya got Shane a ginger ale, while he got himself a Coke. This scene just gave me all warm and cozy.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death of parent, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Medical content, and Suicidal thoughts
bookedinsideout's review
5.0
04/21/2022: Preparing for The Long Game’s release in a few days… the crafting of this with the prologue and the reveal and then getting to see the progression of their relationship is perfection, and I’m looking forward to seeing where they go next.
08/01/2021: I listened to the audiobook and giggled throughout the whole thing because their teasing is just perfection, along with some Canadian jabs thrown in (Regina, Ottawa, McGill). This is the perfect book. They're enemies because they're rivals, but there's a respect there and it never verges into meanness, which is why I think it works so well for me. Other than the outside factors keeping them publicly apart, there's very little angst, making it a thoroughly enjoyable comfort read.
09/29/2020:
Ilya kissed his dumb mouth and swallowed his stupid little sighs and felt his annoying fingers in his hair. He pulled back so he could look at his horrible face with its ridiculous freckles. Fuck.
I loved everything about this hockey romance: the way it spanned years, secret meet-ups, All-Star games, off-season at the cottage, two hockey-loving and supportive parents… and it was just so fun to watch Shane and Ilya navigate their true enemies-to-lovers story.
08/01/2021: I listened to the audiobook and giggled throughout the whole thing because their teasing is just perfection, along with some Canadian jabs thrown in (Regina, Ottawa, McGill). This is the perfect book. They're enemies because they're rivals, but there's a respect there and it never verges into meanness, which is why I think it works so well for me. Other than the outside factors keeping them publicly apart, there's very little angst, making it a thoroughly enjoyable comfort read.
09/29/2020:
Ilya kissed his dumb mouth and swallowed his stupid little sighs and felt his annoying fingers in his hair. He pulled back so he could look at his horrible face with its ridiculous freckles. Fuck.
I loved everything about this hockey romance: the way it spanned years, secret meet-ups, All-Star games, off-season at the cottage, two hockey-loving and supportive parents… and it was just so fun to watch Shane and Ilya navigate their true enemies-to-lovers story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Dementia
Minor: Suicide
CW: Homophobic slurs, suicide, Alzheimer’s disease, emotional/financial abuse, possible spinal cord injury and concussion
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