Tough Guy (Book 3 of the Game Changer Series) by Rachel Reid

This book (and entire series) is LGBTQIA+ themed. 

This book specifically is focused on two gay men (MM)

Other genres: Romance, Sports, Sports Romance

"I'd rather struggle to do what I love than devote myself to something I hate"

They have nothing in common. Ryan Price is a big, strong hockey goon whose role on the Toronto Guardians is to fight. Fabian Salah is a loud and proud gay man living in Toronto's dynamic LGBTQ Village. He is an aspiring musician who hates hockey and everything to do with it. 

Until Ryan Price walks back into his life. It's a shock to say the least, but when the burly, gingered defenseman pops up one day at the pharmacy Fabian is working at, they both can't help but think of the chemistry they once shared. 

Ryan used to billet with Fabian's family when he was growing up. While Fabian assumed Ryan would be like all the other hockey players that lived with his family, he was different. The two almost kissed one night after one of Fabian's performances for school. But both pulled away. 

Now, they are in close proximity for the first time since, and things are heating up. Everything that should keep them apart means nothing as anxious Ryan battles the ultimate question about who he is and what his future in hockey looks like. 

The Review

I wonder if I was too excited for this book. If I loved Game Changer and Heated Rivalry so much that I expected this book to be as good as those. And it simply wasn't. To be fair, if someone asked me, I would tell them to skip this one and go to the next one. Not that it is terrible, it's just disappointing in comparison. 

Ryan and Fabian do make a cute couple, and it is nice to see them grow into each other. It is a bit more like Scott and Kip's story. They are finding each other again. Struggling to find where they fit in each other's lives without making serious life changes. I think in the end everything works out okay, but the getting there leaves something to be desired. 

SPOILER ALERT

I hate Fabien. I haven't hated a character this much in a long time. He is so hypocritical. He is selfish, he is judgmental, he is biased. And he is self-obsessed. Ryan can't see himself fitting in with Fabian's friends, but he tries (in fact, he changes his whole life to fit into Fabian's life), but Fabian can't even imagine anything to do with hockey. 

They are from two different worlds, that is true. But Ryan is trying to be a part of Fabian's world, where Fabian doesn't seem to try at all. He watches one hockey game where Ryan gets hurt, mostly because of Fabian, and then he freaks out. He even knows it is selfish of him to want Ryan to give up hockey, and yet he throws a tantrum until Ryan does. 

Of course, it is just a story. But I can't help thinking that if it were real life, Fabian would be a manipulative boyfriend. Ryan would probably feel like he had to quit hockey and follow him around like a lost puppy (which he kind of does). It seems like Ryan didn't really choose to quit hockey, but was given an ultimatum, and hockey didn't win. And that doesn't sit right with me. Ryan's decision should have been his alone, and I think in real life this would have led to resentment between the two.

I listened to this book through my local library (via Libby). 

The audiobook of Tough Guy was narrated by Tor Thom. He narrated the first three books of the Game Changer series. As I said previously, I didn't have a problem with his narration. I enjoyed it even in the first one, until the TV show came out. But I understand some did not like him.

Tor Thom was replaced by Cooper North for the next books. Some fans are hoping Cooper will rerecord the first three books.  

Rating and Recommendation

I loved Ryan, I felt for him, and I could see myself in him. Fabian killed this book for me. While I came around to him, I love that he could help Ryan deal with his mental health. It just took too much away. I felt like both Ryan and Fabian weren't as well developed as Ilya and Shane were or even Kip and Scott. Something just felt missing in this story. 

For me, the highlight was that Ilya made an appearance. Which really shouldn't be the case. 

After listening to this Heated Rivalry, I bought it (and the whole series) from Indigo online. I also pre-ordered the next book in the series. 

Conclusion

If you are a fan of sports romance novels, of hockey, or just a fan of MM stories, you will love the Game Changer Series. Keep in mind, there are a lot of sexual scenes that are very detailed. If you offend easily or are under the age of majority, a different series may be better suited for you. 

You can find Tough Guy in its respective mediums below: 

You can find Heated Rivalry (2025, directed by Jacob Tierney), Season 1, on Crave (CAN) or HBO Max (USA). 

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