Scan barcode
A review by erika_winters
Game Changer by Rachel Reid
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I read Time to Shine by Rachel Reid last year and adored that book, so it motivated me to pick this one up. Although it wasn’t as successful as her other book, I still very much enjoyed my time reading about Scott and Kip. The first book in a series centered around gay hockey stars, I’m looking forward to reading every single book because of the easy conversational style of writing that Reid uses, along with the hockey element that I dearly love.
Scott plays for the New York Admirals—very reminiscent of the New York Rangers, which is a team I follow and love IRL—and the main conflict of the book is Scott being closeted because of his fear of coming out as a gay man in a league where that just isn’t done, or no one has done it yet, at least. The issue of homophobia both in the league and in fandoms stops Scott from revealing his true self to the world, and that is a very real issue in the world of men’s sports. It’s tragic and must be very lonely for the players concealing this part of themselves from their teammates and the world. I truly hope that one day this won’t be the case; as I always say when I read a gay sports romance. The ending made me cry happy tears, and made me hope for a better future for the sport that I love so very much.
I will note here that this book does have a good amount of gratuitous sex scenes, so be cautious of that before picking this book up. It is categorized as hockey smut, after all, but I wanted to note it here anyways. The reason why it didn’t earn five stars in my heart is because of the lack of development when it came to the relationship between Scott and Kip. I like more personal connection outside of sex, and also more to do with the sport element that the book covered briefly here and there. Overall, a good start to a series, but was missing some elements for me to be fully captivated by it.
Scott plays for the New York Admirals—very reminiscent of the New York Rangers, which is a team I follow and love IRL—and the main conflict of the book is Scott being closeted because of his fear of coming out as a gay man in a league where that just isn’t done, or no one has done it yet, at least. The issue of homophobia both in the league and in fandoms stops Scott from revealing his true self to the world, and that is a very real issue in the world of men’s sports. It’s tragic and must be very lonely for the players concealing this part of themselves from their teammates and the world. I truly hope that one day this won’t be the case; as I always say when I read a gay sports romance. The ending made me cry happy tears, and made me hope for a better future for the sport that I love so very much.
I will note here that this book does have a good amount of gratuitous sex scenes, so be cautious of that before picking this book up. It is categorized as hockey smut, after all, but I wanted to note it here anyways. The reason why it didn’t earn five stars in my heart is because of the lack of development when it came to the relationship between Scott and Kip. I like more personal connection outside of sex, and also more to do with the sport element that the book covered briefly here and there. Overall, a good start to a series, but was missing some elements for me to be fully captivated by it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia and Death of parent