Rachel Reid - The Shots You Take

After moving back to his hometown ten years ago, Riley Tuck thought he had left his major league hockey career—and his broken heart—far behind. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes, it brings ex-teammate and former best friend with benefits Adam Sheppard back into his life.
Coming to the small town of Avery River, Nova Scotia, might have been a mistake. Adam’s not sure he’ll ever win back Riley’s trust after the way they left things—and the attention he’s getting as a huge hockey star isn’t exactly helping. Yet the chemistry that crackles between them is undeniable, even now.
As Adam helps Riley navigate his grief, long-buried feelings start to resurface. But they’ll have to square off with their complicated past if they’re going to have a real shot at a new beginning.

Comment: Like many other readers, I've been a fan of the Game Changers series by this author. Since last year, with the TV show based on those books, two of them in particular, becoming a viral phenomenon, it seems the eagerness and the obsession won't stop, especially with the upcoming second season, set to be ready in 2027, and the publishing of a new book in that series also next year.

Thus, my interest in Rachel Reid's writing continues and that is why I've picked this book, which is a standalone.

Riley and Adam were best friends and roommates during their rookie seasons as professional hockey players. They have also been incredibly attracted to one another and fooled around until Riley confessed his feelings. Adm, however, wasn't ready to be himself and they drifted apart, especially when Riley was traded to another team. Now, many years after, Riley's dad died and Adam felt he had to attend the funeral, at least to pay his respects to someone he admired. He also wants to try to med things with Riley, now that he finally accepted he his gay and that his life has not been as easy as everyone thinks, considering his fame in the hockey world. But Riley hasn't had it easy either and he still feels a lot of resentment. Is there any way for a second change between them to end up in happiness?

This story features a second chance romance which isn't my favorite trope, to be honest. If not by this author, I might skip it, but I also trusted the writing and hoped it would be as captivating as I have seen in the others books by mrs Reid I've tried. I knew it would not be the same as the Game Changers installments, but I still thought this might surprise me.

This isn't an easy book, though, in the sense that the majority of the novel is about the protagonists being in opposed sides of their memories and things aren't simple for them. Their youth was rich in experiences, mainly regarding their hockey careers, but while they were intimate and close, Riley would have been ready to commit to Adam but Adam was not. The thing is, intellectually I can understand both their POVs and I cannot say Adam was a villain in this situation, even though his attitude was horrible. I think only someone going through such doubts would know how to describe it but I can understand Adam's lack of maturity to see what was happening.

This said, of course that for a romance novel, Adam's attitude seems nonredeemable. This is made even more apparent because we know Riley suffered a lot and dealt with depression and anxiety and many other emotions once he realized Adam would not be the person he wanted then. Again, i can certainly see his side too and I could more easily commiserate with his feelings, especially the impotence of changing Adam's mind when Riley wanted. Things between them were great until they weren't and I think the author really presented this quite well.

When the story begins, Riley has just lost his father, so that is another layer to add to his state of mind and the tone of the book was, until a certain point, rather bleak. Things seemed quite negative and the rehashing of their past and failed communication and so on really highlighted the main reason why I tend to avoid this trope. Still, slowly, chapter after chapter things change between them, they talk and obviously the roots of romance that have always existed between them come to life again. It was sometimes sweet but, honestly, that isn't the word I think of in regards to this novel.

Of course not all books have to be great epic romances (like Shane and Ilya's from Heated Rivalry end up being for me) but this was a much more serious story than what I imagined. Nothing wrong with it but it isn't as warm and cozy as the Game Changers books are to me, even allowing for serious issues dealt with there too. The tone in this book is simply that, a lot more contemplative. The end is as happy and sweet, though, and I liked it that Riley and Adam found a way to finally be as happy as they deserve, considering their heartfelt dedication to one another. But, honestly again, it's not a story I will feel eager to re-read.

Grade: 7/10

Rachel Reid - The Long Game

To the world they are rivals, but to each other they are everything.
Ten years.
That’s how long Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been seeing each other. How long they’ve been keeping their relationship a secret. From friends, from family…from the league. If Shane wants to stay at the top of his game, what he and Ilya share has to remain secret. He loves Ilya, but what if going public ruins everything?
Ilya is sick of secrets. Shane has gotten so good at hiding his feelings, sometimes Ilya questions if they even exist. The closeness, the intimacy, even the risk that would come with being open about their relationship…Ilya wants it all.
It’s time for them to decide what’s most important—hockey or love.
It’s time to make a call.

Comment: This is the final installment in the Game changers series by Rachel Reid. The series has been quite hyped by many readers, especially because of the second book, which featured an enemies to lovers romance. That book ended in a believable and happy for now manner, but the author has gifted the readers with this final gem, a conclusion to that couple's story.

In this book, we finally have the HEA for Shane and Ilya. After years in a relationship only a few people knew about, the weight of it is taking its toll on Ilya, and sometimes he feels he can't cope with the thoughts in his head and the everyday issues in his life. He loves Shane more than anything and the feeling is certainly reciprocated but their careers and public opinion still are heavy obstacles for them to become public. However, as the difficulties carry on, as the thoughts run through their minds and as they see others around them reaching for what they want as well, can they truly wait until the end of their careers to become an official couple?

I'm certain there are plenty of amazing reviews out there, and discussion threads, where anyone can have a much better summary of why this book was so good. It's true, taste is personal and there are those who didn't see the appeal, but I believe the majority has liked this book. I liked it too, especially because I still feel invested in the characters, not only the main couple, but all of those they have around them and who play an important part in the book or simply because they are important for the protagonists.

Although Shane and Ilya are a very balanced couple - that was established in Heated Rivalry, the 2nd book - they still face challenges in life, complications of work and because of the conflicting agendas of their teams. Ilya, we learnt, had signed with a less than stellar team, surprising everyone, only so that he could be geographically closer to Shane, but since their relationship is a secret and they play for different teams, this isn't as easy as they imagined.

All these issues start to pile up and in this book, the focus is clearly on Ilya and his side of things. Of course Shane has a key role, no worries on that, but most of the novel is seen through Ilya's POV. Often it has been said Ilya doesn't have such a wide net of connections in whom he can trust, unlike Shen, who has friends and his parents knowing about his relationship and why he isn't coming out. I understand this tactic, but I can see how it might have given the story a slight depressing vibe in some moments, more so until a bit after halfway, when things start to change for better, emotionally wise.

In fact, it should be said the author did a good job portraying someone who had depression, or a version of it. I don't know about the subject enough to talk about it for long, but it does seem Ilya faced struggles and his thoughts, his surroundings, were big in leading him to think the way he did. His days were routine but the weight of the secret,t he loneliness, both the one he faced by living alone, and imposed because he felt he couldn't share his private thoughts with others made hims eek professional help. I can't say how professional that part was but it felt like what the therapist told Ilya or helped him with felt what someone should do.

As the problems increase, and the stress and the demand to deal with this, Shane and Ilya never lose their affection for one another, never give in to silly or childish behavior and they respect each other enough to take the time to talk. I really liked how the dynamics between them happened. At some point, a decision about which step to take for the future becomes impossible to delay and I also liked how this situation was faced by the two of them. Really, what a lovely, sweet couple they are...

There are many scenes that warm the heart and I can see myself re-reading my favorite moments, as I still do with the other stories, so in general this is certainly a very good series from this author. I think this one ends up in the perfect vibe and tone and scene, with everything a fan of them has wanted. I loved it and what a great experience it was to get to know these characters and be happy for them!

Grade: 10/10

Last reads of 2021

I still have 4 books I haven't posted about but that I read until the end of the year.

I'm leaving a very small comment on each one, so that they don't get forgotten.

 

The Lion's Den by Katherine St John

I added this one to my TBR in 2020 but only now picked it up. A friend started it and DNF'd so I was afraid it would be wasted time but, thankfully for me, I actually had a good time reading. The premise is a young woman joining a previous best friend, her mother and sister and three other guests to have a week vacation in a yacht in the Mediterranean. The "best friend" has a sugar daddy and wants to show off but the vacation is all but dreamy for too many weird things happen... The purpose of this book is to be mysterious and give the impression something shady is going on and why would our heroine, seemingly such a good person, bear the rules and some humiliation, especially since she and the best friend didn't get along before the vacation? We get flashback chapters where things shape up and by the end, although I can imagine many would think this is predictable, I was surprised by the apparent big twist. I also liked there's a hint of a romance for the heroine and a man she felt was out of reach. I agree the plot is sometimes silly and unlikely but at the same time how often don't we allow/agree with things we know won't be good just to keep the peace? This was the last book of the year and I liked it. Grade: 8/10

 

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

I was given this one for my birthday last year. I knew about it but I confess I had no plans to read it and if not for the gift, I probably wouldn't anyway. In this book we follow protagonist Queenie, a young Black woman who is the first in her family to have an university degree and she works as a journalist.We soon learn Queenie is on a break from her white boyfriend and some of the issues between them had been related to racism in his family. although they were together for s few years. Queenie then embarks on a sort of self sabotage road and she sleeps around. At the center of all this is very likely a mental health issue and she needs help, but can she get it before the pushes way all her friends? I knew this would be provocative but the reason I wasn't interested is because I heard comments Quennie coped with loneliness and the break up by being promiscuous. I admit I'm a little prude and I don't really like when characters deal with problems this way (seeking superficial relationships or hookups as a "punishment") so reading this wasn't all pleasant, even though she improves and seeks help towards the end of the book. Grade: 6/10

 

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

I must be one of few romance readers who hasn't read (and loved) all the books by this beloved author - her fan base is huge - and so many positive reviews do catch people's attention, which is why I finally gave in and tried one I had in the pile for years. Sadly for me, I didn't like it. I found the writing too juvenile and the first person was irritating to me because this is a romance and, in my opinion, the author didn't execute this weel enough that the heroine felt special enough to sustain the plot this way. This is the story of a 23 (or was it 24?) year old woman who starts dating a neighbor, sort of, but he has issues, which we see develop in flashback chapters from his POV in between the heroine's. I didn't find the story appealing but if I had to pinpoint a main reason, that would be the fact the protagonists fall into a relationship - even if they think it will be with no strings attached - so easily after getting to know one another and while she is still doubtful about him being a good guy. Why ruin a possible good plot, despite filled with so much drama, with so much unimportant sex thoughts.... meh..... Grade: 2/10

 

Role Model by Rachel Reid

This is the fifth installment of the wonderful Game Changers series. I have liked all the other books and this was no exception either. We have the story of Troy Barrett, who used to be a sidekick to the antagonist of the series, so to speak. In this book we learn they had a follow out after Troy called the other guy a rapist and the League decided to protect him instead of Troy. This means Troy is traded and lands on one of less successful teams but which happens to be one of the most welcoming and with players who are friends instead of constant rivals. It's in his new job he meets Harris, the team's media manager, and they hit it off as friends when Troy thought he wouldn't even be talked to by the others. Their relationship slowly develops into something special... I liked this one, it was cute and adorable, has some serious issues mentioned but I feel the romance focus wasn't there to steal the attention and I liked seeing these characters interact, deal with things... an easy but wonderful read, even though not as great as my favorite book in the series was. Grade: 8/10

Rachel Reid - Common Goal

Veteran goaltender Eric Bennett has faced down some of the toughest shooters on the ice, but nothing prepared him for his latest challenge—life after hockey. It’s time to make some big changes, starting with finally dating men for the first time.
Graduate student Kyle Swift moved to New York nursing a broken heart. He’d sworn to find someone his own age to crush on (for once). Until he meets a gorgeous, distinguished silver fox hockey player. Despite their intense physical attraction, Kyle has no intention of getting emotionally involved. He’ll teach Eric a few tricks, have some mutually consensual fun, then walk away.
Eric is more than happy to learn anything Kyle brings to the table. And Kyle never expected their friends-with-benefits arrangement to leave him wanting more. Happily-ever-after might be staring them in the face, but it won’t happen if they’re too stubborn to come clean about their feelings.
Everything they both want is within reach… They just have to be brave enough to grab it. 

Comment: This is the 4th installment in the Game Changers series, featuring hockey players who are gay or bi and who enter gay relationships, this changing the game of acceptance of gay athletes in sports. The books are more focused on romance than society rules, though.

In this story we follow Eric Bennet, a veteran goal keeper who is about to be 41 and he certainly feels his good years are gone. He plans on retiring by the end of the current season and, perhaps, going with the new flow of some players now being openly gay, he will try to explore his bisexuality with men. He was married and was faithful to his wife but he also feels attracted to men and wants to see where this side of him will take him... and that is how Kyle enters the picture. 

Kyle works at Kingfisher, a gay bar Eric's fellow player Scott now attends frequently. Kyle is friends with Kip, Scott's fiancé and that is how Eric starts talking to him and, by confessing his bisexuality, Kyle doesn't mind giving him a few tips and advice on dating men. However, what starts as just some flirting and easy friendship soon evolves to something else, which neither truly recognizes at first... but as their feelings deepen, can they notice they are actually perfect for each other?

Again, the author plays on the emotions here with characters we can like and want to see happy. The stories aren't plain nor superficial but there's a certain simplicity to how things are played out that somehow makes reading very easy.

In this story a new relationship dynamic is portrayed, that of an older guy with no experience dating men and a younger but more experienced partner who also guides things in terms of intimacy. I'm no expert on relationships and even less on labels but I would say this was a little bit like a very light BDSM kind of scenario in the bedroom. Nothing along BDSM happens, but it's clear Eric, the older character, cedes control to Kyle, the younger one, while they are together in intimate moments. I think it's an interesting way to portray this type of relationship, a sort of mentorship backwards to the traditional, and while I'm not fond of this in books (BDSM types of relationships I mean), I was invested in Eric's happiness enough to not be bothered by it.

I liked Eric a lot. He reminded me a bit of Ryan, the protagonist of the previous installment, in the sense they are both a bit shy and unsure of themselves out of the hockey ring and neither is really comfortable with how to try to be with someone they like. Of course this makes it easier for the reader to feel sympathetic, to want to see them succeed.... in Eric's case, he had been married but he wanted to see if his attraction to men would be any different. It's no surprise that falling in love makes everything different!

I liked Eric and his initial lack of confidence. I liked how he slowly came out of his shell and started to make decisions, started to think about his happiness and the things he wanted to do after retirement. His scenes with his colleagues were endearing and his thoughts on what he was going through really made me root for him and understand his attitude and choices.

Kyle reads as a more cynic character. He didn't have a great experience coming out, he has felt the weight of many past decisions and although he is quite young (25 to Eric's 41) he has reached a level of maturity only disappointments can really force on you. Of course that is was cute to see him fall for Eric, especially because Eric is a sweet man and proves to Kyle not everyone would mistreat them. In fact, the small conflict between them seemed a bit out of hand considering how things had evolved with them until then, but thankfully it was close to the end and nothing complicated had to be solved.

I liked Eric more than Kyle but it was cute to see them together. The age gap was quite a theme throughout the book and I can see how it would make them nervous. I don't mind this trope, after all, age isn't an exclusive synonym of maturity but it certainly makes HEAs easier to accept when we imagine they might together for longer if they have similar ages. Yes, I know it doesn't have to be so, many people die young for instance, but it's just easier to picture.

I also liked seeing secondary characters a lot. Fans of the series will certainly smile like I did when they showed up. Overall, I think the author has created a pretty solid cast and the world building will make it hard to say goodbye to this group. I'm now eager to read the next one!

Grade: 8/10

Rachel Reid - Tough Guy

Pro hockey star 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 neighborhood 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.
Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s starting to feel something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

Comment: This is the third installment in the Game Changers series, which has been quite well liked by many readers. I also really loved the previous installment but only now managed to get to this one. I'll try to read the ones after in the following months.

In this third story we have  Ryan, he is a big man, with a ferocious look but in reality he is a teddy bear, he suffers from anxiety, had a public meltdown and has been traded often. He feels lonely and miserable and the fact he is now in a new team in Toronto means he will have to try all over again to be a team player. However, he now makes a friend in the team, he reconnects with someone he used to know as a boy, Fabien, and their friendship seems to help him a lot. Still, he realizes his feelings for that old boy - now a grown up and an attractive one - are changing but can he try to be more when he still feels his issues are too difficult to overcome?

I'd say this is a classic opposites attract rope because Ryan is big and looks tough and Fabien is shorter and looks androgynous, which makes them quite a pair. Still, I was happy with the way their reconnection and relationship progressed, especially because they did seem to be perfect for one another.

It has been interesting to notice how the author has thought about a diverse cast of characters. I like her way of writing so even with characters one might not really expect to enjoy, the story flows and things become intriguing. I especially liked how the characters were complex, well defined, but it wasn't difficult to imagine them as real people.  

Ryan is a very compelling character. I can see why some people think he is too quiet but I could understand his shy and more introverted nature. He also has anxiety, to the point he sees a therapist and takes medication. There were scenes/moments I could almost feel his loneliness so I could very easily sympathize with him. It was a good moment when he made a friend in the team, someone he could trust, and also when he saw Fabien again and even his small group of friends provided much needed interaction for Ryan.

Fabien is a more confident person and he assumes his more femme side but I ended up liking him more than what I normally do when it comes to characters who act overconfident because the author has managed to give Fabien his own insecurities and it was difficult to not commiserate when he felt he had nothing to lose by being loud and proud since his parents were already disappointed he wasn't dedicated to sports. Not even the fact he is very talented in music overcomes what his parents felt was something lacking in him.

The relationship between these two is slow building, respecting boundaries, and we can see how they fall in love by little things, small gestures and moments. Of course there other moments when things seem to not go as well, there's some conflict over what they both want to endure and at some point there's the issue of Ryan's career being based on using his skills in hockey for something he doesn't really like to do. I think there are enough subjects mentioned here, to please different kinds of readers, but for me, I was glad there's was some depth into all those themes.

I wouldn't say this is a perfect novel, certainly doesn't fit all the boxes as easily as the previous book did, but I liked meeting more people in this "universe" and will continue doing so.

Grade: 8/10

Rachel Reid - Heated Rivalry

Pro hockey star Shane Hollander isn’t just crazy talented, he’s got a spotless reputation. Hockey is his life. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that, especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night.
Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. 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 realizes he wants more than a few secret hookups, he knows he must walk away. The risk is too great.
As their attraction intensifies, they struggle to keep their relationship out of the public eye. 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…

Comment: This story has been in the "best of 2019" lists of many readers. I read the first book in the series last month and I just had to dive into this one to see what the hype was about and I'm very glad to say it was a very good book indeed.

In this story the focus is on hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, which is a difference to the first book where only one of the protagonists was a hockey player.

Shane and Ilya meet at a very young age, around 17 or 18 and the sparks fly but especially Shane doesn't really think he should be feeling attraction towards Ilya. The fact they are both promises of the hockey game and seem to hate one another on ice and end up playing for different teams puts them in a position that is quite good for the game and the rivalry but wouldn't let anyone assume they might like one another outside of hockey.

The reality is that through the years they do meet in secret and while their public personas never seems to change, the intimacy they share does.

Will these two ever have a future together or everything related to their job will always be an obstacle they can't beat?

This is a story that does seem to be very unlikely but at the same time it's quite known the sports area is not one very conductive of acceptance and tolerance for what is different, including homosexuality.

I can understand the need for secrecy the two characters show during the whole book and even more so in real life, most supporters just aren't receptive enough to root for gay athletes. It shouldn't be like this but sadly it is.

This is why books like these make people think and be familiar with the possibility and this can only be a good thing. For me, then, this was perfect situation: a story to tell us about the reality of athletes bound by many rules but who try and even better they pretend one thing while being the opposite.

I had a great time reading about how these two players went from curious attraction to the type of relationship where everything about the other is a positive aspect (one of them was happy the other won a special trophy in hockey although being in a rival team) and although the action is told in segments, parts of their day, parts of what they do and we only get clues about their personalities and states of mind through simple or apparently dismissive scenes, there's a richness to them as a couple that i found very appealing to see happen.

Shane is the one we can probably read the easiest. He is a sweet, caring guy, quite driven and talented too, otherwise he wouldn't succeed in a demanding game, but he is a next-door kind of guy, someone we would be buddies with, someone simple, quiet and who never saw himself as liking guys but when he realizes Ilya is his someone, he quickly accepts that and doesn't react as someone not fully aware of his own emotions. I liked how steady, how special he was. He's one of those types one would like to know in real life.

Ilya is a bit more reserved and not just because he is from a country where people culturally aren't as loud. He presents a very charming and extrovert side to everyone, he's very competitive and he clearly likes how he is a rival to Shane on the ice. 

But deep down he is not as confident as he appears to be and he's still locked in thoughts of his mother, of how bad his relationship is with his father, who is very demanding and never praises but whom he can't stop caring about anyway, he also doesn't get along with his brother... so basically he is the antidote of Shane when it comes to family bonds.

Perhaps this is why they matched so well, they have opposed personalities but a lot in common and of course, they fall in love.

Their relationship after a certain point felt really balanced and special and I think the author really did a good job showing us how in sync the guys were. I think maybe there were too many sex scenes but all had their timing well, in a way so I can't say it was badly inserted int he story flow.

I'd have liked the end to be a bit more revealing of their distant future and not just of the ideas they talked about. It was still very sweet and positive, though, don't be worried.

All in all, this was a good story, one I enjoyed a lot, I had a great time with these characters and I think the author really did a good job in how the plot was developed and the pace convinced me they were really evolving.

Grade: 9/10

Rachel Reid - Game Changer

Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, 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 let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, never mind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.
Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret? 

Comment: The second book in this series by author Rachel Rid has gotten a lot of attention because it's a very engaging romance spanning years in the characters' lives. I'm very curious about that one but when I can, I try to read series in order, which means I decided to start with this book, Game Changer since it's the first one.

In this book we meet professional hockey player Scott Hunter, he is going through a bad moment in his game performance but things change the day the decides to enter the smoothie shop where Kip is working.

Whether the thing that made him be able to focus was the smoothie or sharing a very innocent look with Kip, Scott doesn't know but the goes back there the day after.

Kip can't believe the famous hockey player remembered to go back for a smoothie but he can't deny there's something going on with the way they seem so awkward talking. One chance encounter, though, is the start of an affair that at first seems ideal considering Scott's public status. But with time and the increase of their feelings, will Kip be able to cope with secrets?

I liked this book. I liked how the story felt well paced, especially if one considers the main couple falls in love, lives personal lives with personal worries, then who Scott is publicly obviously affects any step they take. All the emotional content these things evoke can't be dealt with that quickly and I appreciate the author took time to develop things. I wouldn't say this went to the level of angst I would imagine, but it was complex enough to make it believable for me.

The story has a very basic plot but the interest and complexity and why it's compelling to go through is to see how intricate the characters are and how they deal with the stages of their developing relationship.

At first they seem giddy because they are starting something, they are lucky (in my POV) to have found someone they could trust and slowly, the more times they meet, the more complicated it is to label what they have. Things get to the point of no return when they admit they are in love.

As expected, there's a HEA in their future and I really liked how the author did it. It was sweet and hopeful, even if a little too simple to be fully realistic (but then again, we only have one perspective if how it was).

The complexity of this story comes from Scott's fears and doubts; not of accepting being gay, he clearly says so at some point, that he feels OK with that, but of dealing with others knowing and how that could affect those around him, namely his fellow players since he doesn't have family anymore.

I found this to be quite pertaining and in real life it certainly can be very stressful. I'd say maybe this is why this wasn't a stronger story for me. Angst and sadness don't have to give depth to a story for it to be considered better, but apart from the man characters' inner struggles, it did feel as if their doubts weren't that worrisome to begin with when, in fact, they must be.

Scott is a character we can sympathize with. He has many material things but he is an orphan, he lives a life of omission and loneliness because he thinks he might not be accepted for his talent anymore but meeting Kip changed his way of seeing things. Of course I'm glad he found love and something to compare things with, I think his personality was complex enough without him being more wary or having more negative moments.

Kip was a little more interesting for me, though, despite the fact he is OK with being gay, despite being accepted by his family and friends. His personality is more intriguing for me because I can see how his feelings of somewhat being unworthy and working at a job he doesn't like but struggling to find one he can be qualified for, after earning a degree can weigh him down. Added to this he feels alone by having only Scott and one friend to talk about, especially f he wants to talk about being with Scott. I can understand how his attitude at some point starts to feel as if being unfair but it must be very challenging to not be free with one's thoughts and words.

Nevertheless, I liked their romance and how it developed.

I also liked the secondary characters, especially Scott's closest team mates, they were funny. 

The sex scenes were too much. I don't think they really added much to the story.

The writing style was also fluid and easy to read and, thankfully!, third person.

I'm very eager to read the next book next month.

Grade: 8/10