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levilore_'s review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book! I thought Shane and Ilya were great characters plus the exploration of being queer in Russia vs Canada was very interesting. I really enjoyed the fact that there was very explicit consent during all the sex scenes and that their aggressiveness towards each other was never even close to being abusive.
In particular, the exploration of sexuality really stuck out to me, because many books have a confident gay character and another character who realizes he is bi due to the gay character. This was reversed and I thought that was awesome.
I do wish there was a bit more of an ending after all that build up which is the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars.
In particular, the exploration of sexuality really stuck out to me, because many books have a confident gay character and another character who realizes he is bi due to the gay character. This was reversed and I thought that was awesome.
I do wish there was a bit more of an ending after all that build up which is the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Dementia, Grief, Alcohol, Blood, Suicide, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Biphobia, Deportation, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
tragicgloom's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Suicide, and Dementia
kharlan3's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Alcohol, Cursing, Dementia, Outing, Suicide, and Terminal illness
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
blackheartbooks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Shane and Ilya both started their rookie year in the NHL together but are playing for feuding teams. Poised as rivals from the beginning, both young men quickly realize that there's something more beneath the surface. Now, after eight years of hate sex, whispered confessions, and reluctant admissions, both men are considering ending their relationship and moving on. But can they turn their backs on the history between them, even as its abundantly clear they can never be out to the world?
Well, what's not to love? I immediately need more of the asshole & the golden child trope. You know I love me some stickball gays. And quite frankly, I don't even know what to do with myself while I wait for the sequel to come out in April.
This book is god tier level for books about pining. If that's your thing, believe me, your heart will be hurting in the best way before you can even say Stanley Cup. I like the dimensions of this novel as well, how it's told mostly through flashbacks leading abruptly to the present, how Shane and Ilya give themselves over to each other one reluctant piece at a time, how the eight-year relationship shapes their lives over the course of their exciting careers playing for rival teams. The emotional depth in this book is precisely what I look for with my sports gays, and possibly it's right up there with the resonance of the third book in the AFTG trilogy that is so beloved to me.
Well, what's not to love? I immediately need more of the asshole & the golden child trope. You know I love me some stickball gays. And quite frankly, I don't even know what to do with myself while I wait for the sequel to come out in April.
This book is god tier level for books about pining. If that's your thing, believe me, your heart will be hurting in the best way before you can even say Stanley Cup. I like the dimensions of this novel as well, how it's told mostly through flashbacks leading abruptly to the present, how Shane and Ilya give themselves over to each other one reluctant piece at a time, how the eight-year relationship shapes their lives over the course of their exciting careers playing for rival teams. The emotional depth in this book is precisely what I look for with my sports gays, and possibly it's right up there with the resonance of the third book in the AFTG trilogy that is so beloved to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Violence
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
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