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The Reapers Series #2
Play To Win
Play to Win is Book Two in The Reapers Series and must be read after My Captain.
The playoffs were never about the Cup.
Elias Mercer already belongs to Damian Kade—and now he’s determined to earn the rest of him.
Damian is the Ravensburg Reapers’ brutal, controlled, untouchable. He’s spent thirteen years breaking men on the ice and keeping his heart locked down tight. He never planned on letting a reckless rookie crawl under his skin and stay there.
But Elias doesn’t play to survive. He plays to be claimed.
Every hit he takes is deliberate. Every reckless shift is an offering. Elias isn’t chasing glory—he’s chasing devotion, permission, a future that looks a lot like Damian’s last name.
As the playoffs turn violent and the pressure closes in, Damian is forced to confront the control isn’t enough anymore. Protecting Elias means choosing him. Fully. Publicly. Permanently.
Because this season isn’t about winning games.
It’s about ownership.
It’s about the ring.
It’s about deciding who you bleed for when everything is on the line.
Play to Win is a filthy, obsessive M/M hockey romance featuring a continuing couple, intense power imbalance, possessive devotion, explicit scenes, and a love that doesn’t ask to be gentle.
Read in order.
Some rings aren’t won.
They’re claimed.
The playoffs were never about the Cup.
Elias Mercer already belongs to Damian Kade—and now he’s determined to earn the rest of him.
Damian is the Ravensburg Reapers’ brutal, controlled, untouchable. He’s spent thirteen years breaking men on the ice and keeping his heart locked down tight. He never planned on letting a reckless rookie crawl under his skin and stay there.
But Elias doesn’t play to survive. He plays to be claimed.
Every hit he takes is deliberate. Every reckless shift is an offering. Elias isn’t chasing glory—he’s chasing devotion, permission, a future that looks a lot like Damian’s last name.
As the playoffs turn violent and the pressure closes in, Damian is forced to confront the control isn’t enough anymore. Protecting Elias means choosing him. Fully. Publicly. Permanently.
Because this season isn’t about winning games.
It’s about ownership.
It’s about the ring.
It’s about deciding who you bleed for when everything is on the line.
Play to Win is a filthy, obsessive M/M hockey romance featuring a continuing couple, intense power imbalance, possessive devotion, explicit scenes, and a love that doesn’t ask to be gentle.
Read in order.
Some rings aren’t won.
They’re claimed.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2026
39 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 12, 2026
omg!!!!!!! MORÉ!!!!!!!!!
This was wow. Like I don’t usually read sports, especially hockey, but I was more into the game than into the romance at one point. Like towards the finals when they were going for the cup series. I was out of bed jumping in screaming oh my God this book is good. It has as much plot as much spice. My heart broke when I read about Damian getting into an accident. Elias spiralling and just going down that dark path of his past accident also kind of shocked me too. And then Kane had to hang up his skates that also broke my heart. But there was so much laughter with Cole and Viktor I hope they each get their own book like the tension, ooooo. I was waiting for this book for like next week, but the fact that I got to read it four days earlier oh my gosh now I am going to patiently impatiently wait for your next book.
This was wow. Like I don’t usually read sports, especially hockey, but I was more into the game than into the romance at one point. Like towards the finals when they were going for the cup series. I was out of bed jumping in screaming oh my God this book is good. It has as much plot as much spice. My heart broke when I read about Damian getting into an accident. Elias spiralling and just going down that dark path of his past accident also kind of shocked me too. And then Kane had to hang up his skates that also broke my heart. But there was so much laughter with Cole and Viktor I hope they each get their own book like the tension, ooooo. I was waiting for this book for like next week, but the fact that I got to read it four days earlier oh my gosh now I am going to patiently impatiently wait for your next book.
January 13, 2026
Loved it
So good
The bus scene killed
The hospital good lord
The ending omg I need Cole and Viktor so badly.
So good
The bus scene killed
The hospital good lord
The ending omg I need Cole and Viktor so badly.
January 18, 2026
OKAY. Hear me out.
Was this good? No. Like the writing was meh and there were a lot of grammatical errors that an editor should have picked up on.
THAT BEING SAID... 4 stars strictly for the fact that this was just as addicting as book one. Like the characters are everything. There's not really a plot in these books but the characters are what makes you stick around for more. I love Elias and Damian. I love the side characters. And I'd sell my first born child for a book about Viktor and Cole. Truly.
So yeah 4 stars. Entertaining as all hell. Do not expect a literary masterpiece. This shit is actually wild.
Was this good? No. Like the writing was meh and there were a lot of grammatical errors that an editor should have picked up on.
THAT BEING SAID... 4 stars strictly for the fact that this was just as addicting as book one. Like the characters are everything. There's not really a plot in these books but the characters are what makes you stick around for more. I love Elias and Damian. I love the side characters. And I'd sell my first born child for a book about Viktor and Cole. Truly.
So yeah 4 stars. Entertaining as all hell. Do not expect a literary masterpiece. This shit is actually wild.
January 19, 2026
LOVE!!!
I didn’t think this book could be better than the first, but my GOD! The emotion, the action… Damien and Elias are fucking LIFE! I have read book one over and over again and now I will read this one over and over again. This story grabbed me by the heart and just refused to let go. You will laugh and cry literal tears. The hospital. The way it was written just ripped my fucking heart out. This author is hands down a literary god! Please give us more! I said in my last review I couldn’t wait for Viktor and Cole’s story. Here’s hoping I can make the wait with my sanity intact. All eyes on you Sage Riven.
I didn’t think this book could be better than the first, but my GOD! The emotion, the action… Damien and Elias are fucking LIFE! I have read book one over and over again and now I will read this one over and over again. This story grabbed me by the heart and just refused to let go. You will laugh and cry literal tears. The hospital. The way it was written just ripped my fucking heart out. This author is hands down a literary god! Please give us more! I said in my last review I couldn’t wait for Viktor and Cole’s story. Here’s hoping I can make the wait with my sanity intact. All eyes on you Sage Riven.
January 27, 2026
Great
Play to Win was a great continuation of My Captain. I loved the tension and emotional weight the team carried as they fought for the Cup. The emotional buildup between Damien and Elias was even stronger this time—especially Elias fighting for his marriage ring from Damien, which added so much depth to their relationship. And honestly, Cup or not, it was clear Damien was always going to give it to him. A strong follow-up, packed with emotion and intensity, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Play to Win was a great continuation of My Captain. I loved the tension and emotional weight the team carried as they fought for the Cup. The emotional buildup between Damien and Elias was even stronger this time—especially Elias fighting for his marriage ring from Damien, which added so much depth to their relationship. And honestly, Cup or not, it was clear Damien was always going to give it to him. A strong follow-up, packed with emotion and intensity, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
January 14, 2026
6 ⭐️
I can’t believe their story is over 😭 I love how the side characters were given more of personalities in this book and showed their love and affection more especially when needed in hard times. And Elias and Damien. I can’t they are so freaking precious, I could read about them forever if given the option. I hope there will be more in the series eventually. I will wait forever.
I can’t believe their story is over 😭 I love how the side characters were given more of personalities in this book and showed their love and affection more especially when needed in hard times. And Elias and Damien. I can’t they are so freaking precious, I could read about them forever if given the option. I hope there will be more in the series eventually. I will wait forever.
January 29, 2026
amaze balls
Ooooooooooooo I have been reading this series for 4 days . Simply because I had to work. But let me tell you. This is my favorite kinda book it wasn’t too slow or too fast. Just right I love it and it was overly theoretical. It was fantastically good.
Ooooooooooooo I have been reading this series for 4 days . Simply because I had to work. But let me tell you. This is my favorite kinda book it wasn’t too slow or too fast. Just right I love it and it was overly theoretical. It was fantastically good.
January 13, 2026
Loved this book and I’m not even done. The damn hospital/Bus scene made me a damn mess. Such a good dark romance and the i love you killed me. Dead. Loved it
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January 27, 2026100% DNF at 19% because ain’t no way in hell am I reading about someone fucking syrup into someone. I like kinky things but nope not happening
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews