Game Changer books - ranked
Oh yes I, as every other decent person on this planet, am deep into the Heated Rivalry cult these days. Series, books, edits, fanfics, deeply nerdy discussions - give it all to me! I've been deep into so many other cults by now that I know that there's no idea to fight back. This is my life now and I might just aswell let it be.
Most days these days there's a Rachel Reid-book in my ears during my daily wherabouts. Yes, also during work hours. I know them pretty well by now, so I thought it was time to share my thoughts. Here w go.
It will be a bit spoilery, but not a lot.
(all plot-descriptions are cut from Adlibris)
No. in series: 3
Main couple: Ryan & Fabian
Plot: Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to Toronto, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ+ Village. The last thing he expects to find in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.
Review: Honestly, I wasn't that impressed by this book. Both Ryan and Fabian are interesting characters, but it's also a bit of a snoozer, I struggled to keep my focus in a way I didn't have to with the others. It's still an important part of the series though and I like the representation these two stand for.
No. in series: 1
Main couple: Scott & Kip
Plot: New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pregame rituals very seriously. When a particular smoothie precedes Scott's breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic…and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.
Review: Sorry to all the Skipers out there for putting Game Changer this low in the list. But, i do have an inexplicable problem with these two and how their relationship evolves in this book. I can't really grasp weither I think it's partly problematic or not. Either way, this book didn't catch me in the same way as the books further up the list.
No. in series: 4
Main couple: Eric & Kyle
Plot: 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. 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.
Review: This was the one book I was most surprised about liking. The premise of a slow-burn-age-gap-story didn't really thrill me at first and this was actually the last book I choose to read. But it grew on me, I really liked getting to go inside Eric's brain and experience all his thoughts about the changes in his life. Kyle is also a very interesting, double-sided character that I really hope to see more of on screen.
No. in series: 2
Main couple: Shane & Ilya
Plot: 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. Publicly, they’re enemies. Privately, they can’t stop touching each other.
Review: First and foremost, this is honestly probably the most important book in the series. It introduces us to the couple with a big C. Shilya is the only couple who have that extra challenge of being 1: both hockey players and 2: also rival ones. This makes for an even more interesting story than the others, and probably why we love them so much. It's opposites attract in the most obvious way ever. These characters are created with a lot of love and concern for their authenticity. I can also see a lot of development in Rachel's writing from Game Changer.
No. in series: 5
Main couple: Troy & Harris
Plot: Troy just wants to play hockey and be left alone. He definitely doesn’t want to “work on his online presence" with the team’s peppy social media manager. Harris doesn’t give up on people easily. Even when he’s developing a crush he’s sure is one-sided. And when he sees Troy’s smile finally crack through his grumpy exterior… That’s a man Harris couldn’t turn his back on if he wanted to. But being together behind closed doors is one thing, and for Troy, being in a public relationship with Harris will mean facing off with his fears, once and for all.
Review: This has become my first and foremost comfort-listen-audiobook. Troy and Harris fast became my second favourite couple in this book series and I keep coming back to them for feelgood. I really feel for Troy, his regrets, self hatred and will to do better for others. I'd want Harris as my best friend, the person I can call anytime to gossip about anything. Them together makes me all giddy and happy. Can't wait to see these two on screen, but that also comes with a bit of worry, because I like these two so much and it's important that it's done well.
No. in series: 6
Main couple: Shane & Ilya
Plot: 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.
Review: Oh, I don't even know where to begin here. First and foremost, I'm a sucker for sequels. I really like to see what happens next, when the main rolls have landed together and need to learn how to deal with real life. That's probably why I prefer series to movies. The Long Game has this, but it also evolves the characters we meet in Heated Rivalry. It's said that this is Ilya's story, but to be honest I find it just as much Shane's. We get to dive deeper into the minds of both our favourite guys, but in different ways. It's a whirlwind of emotions, in the most fascinating and heartwarming way. And the end, well, just gonna tell you it's all worth it!
Bonus - Rachel's other books
As you probably know, Rachel have published two more books apart from the Game Changer-series, and off course I dove into them too. With, I must say, very different reactions.
The Shots You Take was honestly just a long spiraling anxiety attack for me. I had a really hard time accepting Adam and Riley's relationship and it was the first time I really didn't want the two main characters to end up together. I actually cheered for them not to. By the end of it I just felt...empty, and torn apart. But I imagine it's a gift for you who look for something a bit darker in Rachel's books.
Time to Shine, on the other hand, has become one of my favourite Rachel-books. This is a true feelgood, wholesome story about two young hockey players conquering the world together. It's in no way only sunshine, but it kind of takes place in a world that's a bit less complicated than the one we're living in, and that's refreshing. Landon and Casey are so cute together and good for each other. It's also nice to get a depiction of a hockey player who struggles a bit more for his career than the other characters in Rachel's books.
Now I, like all of you, can't wait for Unrivaled to arrive (in only 433 days, but who's counting...). It keeps me afloat during hard days. The sunshine is coming.
Until then I'm doing the Rachel READ, which is so much fun!
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