The first three of USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Reid's scorching M/M hockey romances, now in one volume!
Game Changer
Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. 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 imagined being invited back to Scott's penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, nevermind touched everywhere. When it happens it's red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott's terms and always behind his closed apartment doors. With playoff season approaching, the spotlight on Scott is suddenly brighter than ever. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott - but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?
Heated Rivalry
Hockey is Shane Hollander's life. He's got a spotless reputation, and now that he's captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won't let anything jeopardise that - especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night.
Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane's not. He's the self-proclaimed king of the ice, and no one can beat him - except Shane. They've made a career on their legendary rivalry, but when the skates come off, the heat between them is undeniable. When Ilya realises he wants more than a few secret hookups, he knows he must walk away. If the truth comes out, it could ruin them both. But when their need for each other rivals their ambition on the ice, secrecy is no longer an option...
Tough Guy
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 neighbourhood 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.
Game Changers series Book 1: Game Changer Book 2: Heated Rivalry Book 3: Tough Guy Book 4: Common Goal Book 5: Role Model Book 6: The Long Game
Rachel Reid is the pen name of Rachelle Goguen. She chose it because it is much easier to say, spell and remember than Rachelle Goguen!
Rachel writes cute, romantic smut, mostly about hockey players. Her Game Changers m/m hockey romance series is available from Carina Press.
Rachel/Rachelle lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. She has always lived there, and it's looking like she probably always will. She has two boring degrees and two interesting kids.
I finally decided to start this series—no idea why it took me so long—because the Heated Rivalry show is coming out, and honestly? I’m mad I waited this long! This was so good! It started a little slow for me, but the second half… the angst, the need, the smoothies! It was adorable, and Kip was especially cute. The audiobook was fantastic too—I loved the NY accent!
A Dirty-Talking Russian Ruined My Life (In the Best Way)
God tier level — I’m dead. Seriously, this book? I can’t even begin to describe the chokehold Ilya and Shane have had on my brain since I picked it up. I tore through this so I’d be ready before the show and I absolutely cannot wait. I read it in one sitting; my Kindle is basically on fire.
It was hot, it was perfect, the yearning was unhinged. I need a dirty-talking Russian who is down bad. Why does every book not have a dirty-talking Russian who is down bad??
Read it. Read it. Read it.
A Great MMC Buried in a Not-So-Great Match
Eh, well. I really liked Ryan — his struggle is something I don’t think I’ve ever read from this perspective in a romance, and it ended up being the most (only?) compelling part of the book. He’s a mess and anxious and so deeply unhappy, and every star I’m giving is for him and him alone.
Because I did not like Fabian. At all. He’s full-on obnoxious — an embodiment of the worst anti-sports fans I’ve ever met. I’m different and independent and I don’t like fighting… but I’m going to date a literal enforcer and cry when he fights, please! He was both annoying and exhausting. If this were any other book in any other series, I would’ve DNF’d it entirely, and I probably will skip on future rereads.
Such a letdown — 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for my man Ryan.
Bought this during a sale, never touched it, and then felt the cultural pull to read it before I watched the show. To start out with them hooking up immediately in the first chapter was tbh a little jarring for me, a typically slow-burn type reader, but I got that eventually in this book too. No notes I’m sad it’s over
Saw the first episode of the series, it was so good that decided to read the books and I am so glad I did.
Learning about each story definitely gives you the perfect panorama of the whole situation and loving the interaction between each couple!
I can't wait to read them all, Starting today itself.
•With the episodes alone I had in my mind the idea that Hollander was onsided crush for long but so glad that the book gave me so much about Ilya, my little sunshine, you are crazy about your Shane and I will protect you hahaha loving everything for real.
Big thanks to the Author Rachel for gifting us with such heartwarming characters and stories
I adored this whole series. I devoured the first book and loved it so much that I read the entire series in less than a week. (ADHD hyper focus mode)
First of all, if you’re not into super spicy intimacy, these books are not for you… move on.
The mental health representation in each of these books was spot on, not to mention repping social anxieties surrounding sexuality and societal expectations — these issues were so well portrayed. Each book was so well written I breezed through all six of them this week. Absolutely adored these stories and I’m going to miss the characters terribly — may have to reread. Absolutely loved.
I just got to say, Ilya Rozonov's presence in all the books, (im just now on book 4). is so badass! You knowww everytime i see that mans name im gonna squeal and tuck in for some sass!
Rachel Reid writes with sensitivity about characters dealing with anxiety, homophobia, and toxic masculinity as they chase their dreams. Sweet, enjoyable, hot as hell. Upgraded my rating on this second reading because I love the courage of her characters.
ok obviously i read this because i can’t wait for the next episode of the show to come out.
love the story and characters and the scale of it all but i don’t think the writing is very good.
the show is very similar to the book, with most of the dialogue directly lifted from the pages, but it is interesting to hear the internal monologues of shane and ilya. i didn’t get that ilya at times comes across as rude because of the language barrier until i read the book, for example.
overall though, i think the show is a much better medium to consume this story. the show is done really well and transforms the source material in a really great way. the show is less repetitive and honestly the performances from the two main actors give the characters a lot more depth.
my main issues with the book, like i said, come down to the writing. one problem i have is that the two POVs are the exact same. it’s hard to keep track of when it’s a shane chapter or an ilya chapter because the narration is not different at all, even though they are completely different people. specifically with ilya, his narration doesn’t match the way he speaks and comes across in his dialogue, which is confusing.
the book is also very repetitive, the same words and phrases are used over and over, and a lot of things feel over-explained.
it is also kinda frustrating that most of the events of the story just happen because of outside forces making them happen. the characters don’t make their own decisions a lot of the time, it seems like things just happen to them and it isn’t the most satisfying to read.
i also don’t like that the characters aren’t very fleshed out. the only scenes we read are ones that directly include the romance, which is 95% interactions between the two main characters. meaning that they don’t really have a life outside of eachother that we know about, and then later in the book when we do hear about family dynamics and different friendships and relationships it feels jarring. i personally would prefer to see more of each of the characters personal lives, and who they are when they are alone, instead of it feeling like so much happens off the page. i think if it was a different type of narration, like a daisy jones and the six faux documentary type thing, the structure of the story would work better.
so yeah, overall i love the story and characters in a way that might be unhealthy and i can’t wait for more of this story, but for anyone interested i would recommend the show, because the writing in this book falls pretty flat.
I read all three novels in this volume in not much more than three days. I saw a discussion of the book, Heated Rivalry, on Smart Bitches Trashy Books website, with gifs from the HBO show based on that book. As it was pretty sexy, I went to find the book, and found that I could buy this volume of three books for much, much less than any of the three single books.
This is my third series of hockey books, my second with queer protagonists. Oh my goodness did I love each story. Being gay in the hypermasculine world of hockey is not easy. Interestingly, the three different main hockey players fell in love with different men. In Heated Rivalry, two hockey players from rival teams would hook up. They were both cis or masculine presenting males. Game Changer was a love story between a hockey player and a cis gay man, as well, but this love interest was smaller, so much so that the size difference was significant. He also worked at a smoothy shop and was a server for catering events. The power differential between the two was significant, especially with how closeted the player was. The third story, Tough Guy, fell in love with a fey musician. Much of the difference was body dismorphia, and anxiety for the player, and a gorgeous, feminine presenting love interest.
The men all grew so much during each novel. Reid wrote realistic characters and emotions. Interestingly, all three novels were happening around the same time, so characters from the other books would be mentioned in passing. The books were solid and enjoyable.
I decided to jump on the bandwagon and read these books and I do not regret it! Obviously, I came to them after I started watching the now uber-popular Heated Rivalry series on Crave/HBO.
If you're a fan of smutty romance novels, you're definitely in for a treat. The sex is hot and the characters are well written. You remember each character separately, which is not an easy feat given that all books basically have the same setting. I read all 3 back to back and they do stand out. Even the sex between the lead couples is different in each book.
Normally I am not a huge fan of straight women writing gay men, but Rachel Reid does a good job. She captures some of the nuances of queer life that I sometimes feel straight people miss on, especially in the Tough Guy part. She isn't going for any kind of literary genius with these books. They're just fun, smutty novels that are written well and clearly thought out.
Reading the books definitely adds to the experience of watching the series. I'm able to appreciate the performances and the direction more. Jacob Tierney and the actors have done a good job bringing alive the source material.
I was partial to the second one. There's definitely something about Shane and Ilya that makes you fall in love with them.
I might just go on a roll and read the next 3 books now. I hear Shane and Ilya return for the 6th, and I cannot wait!
08.12.25-10.12.25: Game Changers 4 stars - Picked up because, as a lover of both hockey and books, Heated Rivalry is all over my Instagram and I don't want spoilers if I decide to watch eventually! Really cute characters (Scott and Kip), mostly good communication though at times it was a little frustrating however understandable the situation was, would have liked more hockey but it was a good romance and quick, easy read.
10.12.25-12.12.25 Heated Rivalry 3 stars - I loved the characters and some parts for sure, but it didn't feel as much a cohesive story as it did an excuse to write gay smut. No hate to that overall, and I did appreciate the slight increase in hockey content from the last one, but I just wish there had been a bit more domestic and game time scenes going on, especially near the end.
15.12.25-19.12.25 Tough Guy 1 star - This is somehow even less hockey and very intensely focussed on queerness, especially at the start, which obviously is important but I think if and when I wanted that specifically, I'd read a general romance? These aren't hockey romance books so much as they're romance books with hockey players in them. Also Fabian is pathetic and fairly selfish in circumstances not required and I hate him? Ryan is cute though. I know he's supposed to be in love with Fabian but I don't think he has to be, I think he could have done so much better.
To be clear this was a reread - I read all three of these on KU - but the Crave series had me jonesing for a reread!
I love these books, the world that Rachel has created, the spice, the banter… all of it 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
On my first read through I didn’t clock how much Shane and Ilya were the through line till much later in the series? But now it’s so obvious in book 3!
If you haven’t done it yet - please go read all of these books right now! Thank me later ❤️
I loved all 3 books in this volume! After seeing all the love for the Heated Rivalry TV series, I had to read the source material and it was amazing!! I loved all 3 relationships in this, and I really enjoyed the different dynamics between the characters. The interwoven aspect was also really well done and helped to link everything together. Looking forward to reading Volume 2!!
Made up words above notwithstanding, I've read the first three books in the series and it just keeps getting better and better. Each story is flawlessly written and grabs you from the first to the last word. The only disappointment I've had so far was the last page of every book because it meant the story was over.
A great collection with a lot of fun characters. I very much enjoyed reading all 3 books. the progression between the stories plays out well and the attention to detail with hockey is just about what I would expect. I absolutely adored all of the characters and the level of spice is just about right.
Oh my giddy aunt. I am all a fluster. So glad this was recommended to me, she be steamy as hell. And the storyline’s are actually good too. The third one in particular I think tackled some pretty important topics in a lovely way. Never thought I’d be this invested in a hockey series and yet here we are. Gimme more.
Game Changers Volume One is a fantastic introduction into the hockey world. Various aspects of intensity and heated are avidly described through a flowing storyline which opens up one’s imagination vividly. Characters are strong, scared, brave and vulnerable in both the sport they love to play and in their own lives. Love this series.
I rarely use such definitive and harsh language, but this is possibly one of the worst books that I've ever read. I decided to read at least one of the books prior to watching the HBO adaptation and it was a mistake. I truly think a really bright eighth-grader could write a more nuanced, compelling, and interesting novel.
After some hard hitting fantasy books I could feel myself rapidly approaching a slump. These three books were exactly what I needed to get out of it! I loved each of these couples and felt such a wonderful connection to each of their stories. Highly recommend!
(ha nur s#2 gläse) esch erstuundlech identisch zude serie, aber leider hetts mi nur halb überzügt.. charaktere toll aber lowkey 90% sex? ha ergendwenn müsse chli überspringe de plot hett mi bitz enttüscht (ned vorhande) aber deför lest sechs schnell und hett trotzdem spass gmacht
Game Changer: 3/5 - Too instant love Heated Rivalry: 4/5 - Okay, the hype was worth it Tough Guy: 2.5/5 - Ehh. I really didn’t like Fabian and I felt his red flags were super looked over. Ryan was a sweet teddy bear though.
Really, it’s all about Heated Rivalry and the Shane/Ilya cameos in the other 2 books. But book 1 was cute, solid 4 stars. Book 3 wasn’t as great, but again, here for the cameos.
Read the first few books of this series a few years ago but never tracked it. I liked them, and am revisiting the series for (hopefully) obvious reasons.