Other genres: Romance, Contemporary, Queer, MM Romance, Fake Dating
Trigger Warning: This book deals with abandonment, some slight homophobia
"I don't want fine. Fine isn't enough."
Luc O'Donnell is famous adjacent. His deadbeat father is a rockstar, and that has reluctantly left a spotlight on Luc and his life choices. Because of this spotlight, Luc has found himself the subject of a cover story on more than one occasion, and none of those occasions painted him in a good light. The latest scandal, drinking at a party until he passed out, has left a sour taste in people's mouths. Now, desperate to keep his job as fundraiser for dung beetles, Luc is looking for a fake boyfriend to save his reputation.
Oliver Blackwood is a handsome lawyer, ethical and successful, the exact opposite of where Luc is in life at the moment. He has had a hard time in love, but he is the perfect man to help rehabilitate Luc's image.
As their fake relationship progresses, Luc finds himself laughing at inside jokes, and Oliver finds it harder and harder to keep a professional distance from the man who was supposed to be arm candy for a family party he didn't want to go to alone.
The Review
It was a bit slow at first, building up to the premise of the book. I enjoyed the back and forth between Luc and Oliver. They are clearly very different. They were raised in different classes, their family life is very different, and they hold themselves differently for various reasons. They hate each other at first (I don't think that's a spoiler). But watching them work through that to fake their relationship is very engaging, and you become invested in this plan. It feels like one of those classic "let's make a deal" romances.
SPOILER ALERT
I didn't realise how invested I was in Luc and Oliver until Oliver broke things off. My head almost snapped off my neck in shock. I wanted to grab him and shake him and say what are you doing!? Luc had finally opened up to him, he was finally coming to terms with the fact that being in a relationship meant trusting your partner, opening up to him. The bathroom scene was so touching and moving, and a huge step for Luc. And then Oliver just closed down and shut him out.
Thankfully, Oliver comes to his senses, and they find a way to make it work out. I like to think that after meeting Oliver's family, Luc's reaction and support really were what Oliver needed in a partner. It felt a little one-sided, but after meeting the parents from hell, I can see what Luc brings to the table.
I listened to this book through my local library (via Libby).
Boyfriend Material is narrated by Joe Jameson. I enjoyed his reading of the book. I think he did a great job with voices, and it was a nice and relaxing listen. It didn't take away from the book in any way. And that to me is one of the most important aspects of an audiobook.
Rating and Recommendation
I really enjoy this type of story. It feels like a "real life" romance. Which is what I try to write. As you read, you feel like Luc and Oliver could be real people. Their life and relationship are realistic. There's no fancy grand romantic thing that makes you roll your eyes. It's just real, relatable themes that make you connect with one or both of them. I think those are the best stories. While it is nice to think of Prince Charming, or a Rich lover, it's nice to see "normal" to see two people just trying to find something more.
I don't own this book yet, but it is definitely going on the wish list. I think it would fit in nicely with the shelf I am creating of LGBTQIA+ books (aka The Game Changer Series and Red, White and Royal Blue at the moment).
Conclusion
I think this book is a palate cleanser of sorts. It is a tad boring in places. But there is something about it that is just a calming, good read. There's no huge drama or rollercoaster of emotions. It's two people trying to figure out themselves and how to be a partner in a new relationship. Realising why things never worked out before and what is different now.
You can find Boyfriend Material in its respective mediums below:
* Book cover image retrieved from GoodReads. All rights belong to the author and/or publisher. * All the "stickers" in this blog were provided by Bookish (presented by NetGalley). * Links in this blog may be generated through the Amazon Associates Program. By using this link, I may make a small profit (at no cost to you) from your purchase.
This book specifically is focused on a gay men and a man trying to figure it out
Other genres: Romance, Contemporary, Queer, MM Romance
Trigger Warning: This book deals with struggling with mental health, sexual identity, childhood abuse, and families that suck.
"You're deserving of a relationship in whatever form you want it."
Dev Deshpande is a romantic. He believes in fairy tales, in happily ever after, and he has made a career of crafting love stories that will last on the reality dating show Ever After. He prides himself on scripting the perfect story of the contestants and audience, even if his own love life is lacklustre at best.
Charlie Winshaw is not Prince Charming. In fact, he doesn't really believe in the whole Happily Ever After, thing that the television show stands for. He knows that half the girls are there to promote themselves, their brand and whatever ventures they have going on. Not that he can blame them. Charlie agreed to do Ever After to rehabilitate his image after being pushed out of his own company.
It is Dev's job to get Charlie camera-ready. With fake practice dates, Dev realises there is much more to Charlie than the awkward, emotionally closed-off person being portrayed on screen. And Charlie realises he has more of a connection to Dev than any of the contestants.
The Review
It was a bit slow at first, and I really was concerned with how long the chapters were. But that quickly changed. Charlie is so awkward, and Dev is so sweet. And things between them are just so screeching awkward. The kind where even you have second-hand embarrassment that makes you screech with delight and humiliation and a "just kiss him already" train of thought.
It is so easy to fall in love with Dev and Charlie. Realising that they both were missing something growing up and just accepted that there was something wrong with them is heartbreaking. But to realise that that missing piece was something as simple as being asked, "How can I help?" It's tragic and yet heartwarming to see how comfortable they grow together simply because they are absolutely shocked that the other can accept their mental health issues/hangups.
SPOILER ALERT
I hate the way Dev dealt with things. But with that being said, I can relate. As someone with mental health struggles, it's always easier to run from hard things. It's always easier to go back to what is familiar. And it is hella hard to ask for help. I like how realistic this book was. Mental health is hard work sometimes, and it comes in all shapes and sizes. And Dev was a great example of how tricky Mental Health can be. One day you're fine, and the next day you're spiralling. You go from working a typical job to not being able to get out of bed, shower, dress, all the "normal" things.
Charlie was also a great example of how frustrating mental health can be. Even when you think you have a handle on things, a simple stain on a T-shirt derails you. A crowded boardroom or marketplace triggers you. It's so unpredictable at times. And you have to find your own ways of coping with it.
I love that Dev shows us how easy it is to overlook our mental health. He didn't realise he still needed therapy. He didn't realise he wasn't coping with things well. And in my experience, that's usually how it is. We realise things aren't "normal", but they aren't "bad", and yet once we seek help, we realise it was bad, we just didn't notice how bad.
I am glad that Dev quit his job. While he didn't handle his coworkers and Charlie properly around that time, he made a hard choice for his own sanity and for that, he should be applauded.
I listened to this book through my local library (via Libby).
The audiobook of The Charm Offensive has three narrators. Vikas Adam does Dev's point of view. Graham Halstead does Charlie's, and Cassandra Campbell reads "director's notes" and stuff like that. It was quite interesting to have the different voices for different POVs. I enjoyed it, and I think they did each character justice.
Rating and Recommendation
This is the perfect love story. If you don't have someone there for you like Dev and Charlie, you need to re-evaluate your relationship. You deserve love. That fact does not change because of your mental health, or because of your sexual preference or status. If ANYONE makes you feel unlovable, like a burden or any negative feelings because of your mental health, they don't deserve to be in your life.
When Dev asks Charlie, "How can I help?" That is the ultimate green flag. Your partner is supposed to support you, to make your journey easier. And not to make you feel even worse about yourself. Dev's revelation about how a relationship is supposed to be and why it never felt right with Ryan is a real eye-opener.
I don't own this book yet, but it is definitely going on the wish list. I think it would fit in nicely with the shelf I am creating of LGBTQIA+ books (aka The Game Changer Series and Red, White and Royal Blue at the moment).
Conclusion
If you struggle with your mental health. If you don't know where you belong. If you are gay or still trying to figure it all out. You will find representation in this book. And that is more important than any review or recommendation I can make. So many people can find themselves in this book. I really encourage you to give it a try.
You can find The Charm Offensive in its respective mediums below:
* Book cover image retrieved from GoodReads. All rights belong to the author and/or publisher. * All the "stickers" in this blog were provided by Bookish (presented by NetGalley). * Links in this blog may be generated through the Amazon Associates Program. By using this link, I may make a small profit (at no cost to you) from your purchase.
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).
* Book cover image retrieved from GoodReads. All rights belong to the author and/or publisher. * All the "stickers" in this blog were provided by Bookish (presented by NetGalley). * Links in this blog may be generated through the Amazon Associates Program. By using this link, I may make a small profit (at no cost to you) from your purchase.
This book specifically is focused on one gay man and one bisexual man (MM)
Other genres: Fiction, Queer, Young Adult (YA), Enemies to Lovers, New Adult (NA), Gay
"History, huh? Bet we could make some."
Alex Claremont-Diaz is the First Son of the United States. He is the closest thing to a Prince America has. He, along with his sister June and the VP's granddaughter, the three of them (the White House Trio) make up this beautiful millennial marketing bombshell for President Ellen Claremont, the first woman President of the United States. Along with keep apperences at home, Alex is expected to be an international socialite. He is quite good at a skill that will help him on his own political path.
The only downside, Prince Henry. He and Alex are like oil and water, and yet Alex sees Henry as his British counterpart. Maybe that's why the two don't get along. And it is possibly why punches get thrown, and a gigantic wedding cake gets destroyed as their antics get the attention of tabloids around the world.
Trying to save face for her reelection bid and to keep American/British relations intact, President Claremont decides that Alex needs to do some damage control. The Crown agrees, and for a day, Alex and Henry take photos showing that they truly are friends; everything is fine. The lie benefits both sides.
But, as they both struggle through the day, something changes.
The Review
My first impression of Alex and June is that they are mischievous and live life under a microscope. They expect to behave, and June obsessively brings the tabloids in every day to make sure there aren't any stories about them, and if there are, they fit the narrative correctly. But it quickly becomes clear that even though they are the president's children, they still are children. It's funny to see Alex and Henry go at it. It's kind of like those old 90s movies where the dramatic moment happens that changes everything! (Think Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap.)
I wish the rivalry had lasted a bit longer, the awkward tension, the anxious air when things get kind of awkward and then everything changes. But I really enjoyed what there was. It was funny to see them awkwardly trying to recover from Philip's wedding and give the tabloids a put-together narrative. They are friends. And though that seems ridiculous to both of them, they slowly start looking at each other differently. And that's an interesting transition. Fighting the urge but losing. A casual fling that turns into life-altering love. It checks all the boxes.
SPOILER ALERT
I love the Moms in this book. Catherine, Henry's mom, is amazing. She doesn't take any of the Queen's nonsense. She stands up for Henry and Alex, and she has come out of her funk for her son. It's a true testament to a mother's love. It is very interesting to see the drastic difference between Henry's Mom and Alex's Mom. President Ellen Claremont is not subtle. She is the President of the United States, but she will always be a Mother first. She supports Alex from the minute she finds out, even though she knows it may kill her chances at getting re-elected. It's amazing to see these strong women stand up for their children, doing what mommas do. In the end, I think Henry and Alex can embrace their true selves because of the support of their moms, specifically.
I listened to this book through my local library (via Libby).
Ramon de Ocampo is the narrator of Red, White, and Royal Blue. I have to admit, at first, I couldn't stand the way he was reading this book. I felt like he wasn't doing enough to separate each voice; it seemed like his tone was changing, but each character sounded the same. The English accent for Prince Henry was nonexistent at first.
But as the book went on, it got much better. And I barely noticed any hang-ups I originally had.
Rating and Recommendation
I think this rating reflects my age and generation. In the 90s, the Royal family was very important. The world cried when Princess Diana Spencer died. Prince William was the equivalent of Prince Charming, and the dream of being Cinderella was alive and well. Maybe that mindset doesn't translate to younger generations, just a changing of the guard type thing. But if you ever fantasised about being a princess as a child (or a prince), you will enjoy this book.
After listening to Red, White and Royal Blue, I decided to add it to my Amazon wishlist. I enjoyed it, and I think I would like to add it to my collection. Though full price ($22 at the moment), it is a little much.
Conclusion
I think this was a good book. I think that in the last few years, we have seen that being a prince is hard. And it's clear that art mimicked life in this book. Just looking at Prince Harry and the challenges he faced when he fell in love with someone "different" to the ideal mate for a prince of England. And it isn't hard to imagine how a gay first son would be received in the United States. It's a nice break from reality, I think, and a reminder that there are people out there who will never accept you, but there are people out there who will.
I am not sure if I am not "sensitive" to "spice", but I didn't find that this book was that spicy. It did have some scenes where there was sexual stuff, but to me, I always thought "spicy" meant more in-depth detail, maybe a little kink thrown in. So to me it wasn't spicy, but to others it may be.
You can find Red, White & Royal Blue in its respective mediums below:
You can find Red, White & Royal Blue (2025, directed by Jacob Tierney),Season 1, on Crave (CAN) or HBO Max (USA). You can watch the trailer below via Prime Video's YouTube Channel.
* Book cover image retrieved from GoodReads. All rights belong to the author and/or publisher. * All the "stickers" in this blog were provided by Bookish (presented by NetGalley). * Links in this blog may be generated through the Amazon Associates Program. By using this link, I may make a small profit (at no cost to you) from your purchase.
This book specifically is focused on one gay man and one bisexual man (MM)
Other genres: Romance, Sports, Sports Romance
Canada's Shane Hollander and Russia's Ilya Rozanov!
Jane and Lilly, finally! Heated Rivalry is book number 2 in Rachel Reid's Game Changer Series. Gaining popularity, thanks to the Crave adaptation, the Game Changer Series has become an international phenomenon!
Shane Hollander is the poster child for the league. He is an amazing player, and he is squeaky clean. Everything the league would want to showcase and more. The Captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, Shane, is at the top of his game - an amazing young talent, ready to make it big.
Enter, Ilya Rozanov. He is the exact opposite of Shane. The Captain of the Boston Bears is the self-proclaimed king of the ice. His cockiness is backed by his talent. Since their junior years, the two have been rivals.
Who is the best? The only person who can beat Ilya Rozanov is Shane Hollander, and it seems the opposite may also be true. But rivals aren't the only thing that Shane and Ilya have been since the rookie season. The two captains have a secret.
Drawn to each other by fate and freckles, Shane and Ilya struggle to find a balance between their emotional bond and the reality of being gay (or bi) hockey players. How long can they keep their hookups a secret?
The Review
I can't say anything bad about Heated Rivalry (partially because I think people with pitchforks would show up at my door), mostly because it's such a feel-good book. Two young kids, finding love and the joy of a first love, exploring each other, getting to know each other. It's all a little wonky for Shane and Ilya, but I think that adds to their relationship. Sometimes relationships are tough like that. Not getting much time together, working too hard, too late, too much, it puts strain on a relationship. But the boys understand it because they are alike in that regard, even though personality-wise they are so different.
For Shane, hockey was always something he was good at. I spiked his competitiveness, and he thrived. For Ilya, hockey was an escape, away from his dad, away from his brother, away from Russia. The tension behind that alone is hard to imagine, but then add in being gay and bisexual, and it's sad to think how much harder that made things for both of them. It's unfortunate that even in 2026, this type of narrative is still prominent.
I think Rachel Reid does a great job of really capturing the hardships that Shane and Ilya go through both together and apart. It is a much different type of story than Kip and Scott, though we see Scott struggle a lot with the idea that his hockey career may be over if he comes out.
SPOILER ALERT
Unlike Scott and Kip, Ilya and Shane don't really get the "pretty-bow" happy ending. They come up with a plan. They do have some closure. They do have each other. But they still have to hide. Even with the press conference announcing the Irina Foundation and the hockey camps, they still don't get to be themselves. Or together. They still don't get the happily-ever-after they deserve. It's unfinished in that way, which is no doubt why they get two more books covering their story. (We also get glimpses of Ilya and Shane throughout the next few books as we wait for The Long Game.
I listened to this book through my local library (via Libby).
As with Game Changer, Heated Rivalry was also narrated by Tor Thom. Again, I didn't have a problem with the narration. Obviously, it wasn't the perfect accent for Ilya, but it wasn't that bad. I enjoyed that he actually attempted to make different voices for each character. While not perfect, it came across as different people from different backgrounds. And I think that's the best a voice actor/narrator can do.
Because of the pushback, there are talks of the audiobooks recorded by Tor Thom being rerecorded. The most popular choice would be to have the actors (Hudson Williams and Connor Storie) read the book. While others would be happy just to have Cooper North (the person who took over narrating the series), rerecord them.
Rating and Recommendation
I love Ilya and Shane, I love Heated Rivalry. But I loved Game Changer more. To me, Scott and Kip's story had more "bones", more of a story. Ilya and Shane's story was more about sex. Which, don't get me wrong, I enjoy that part too. But, personally, I like a little more meat. Now that is just a personal preference. That doesn't take anything away from Heated Rivalry or the series as a whole. I have read all the other storylines, and I think that Shane and Ilya eventually become the best couple. I think it just takes some time because their story is unfinished. With that being said, I can't wait to start The Long Game and Unrivaled next year.
After listening to Game Changer (the first book), I bought it (and the whole series) from Indigo online. I also pre-ordered the next book in the series (Unrivaled).
Conclusion
If you enjoyed the TV show, or if you like Scott and Kip's story, or if you just enjoy two hot hockey players getting together on and off the ice. You will love Heated Rivalry. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry. It will make you hate the world and yet love how beautiful it can be. Ilya and Shane's story is hot and heavy, whereas Scott and Kip's was more romance-based. Both are great dynamics and wonderful in their own way. It just depends on what you're in the mood for. So keep that in mind if you are coming to Heated Rivalry after Game Changer.
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.
Homophobia in Hockey
Heated Rivalry and Rachel Reid's description and depiction of the trials and tribulations that Shane and Ilya have to go through are very eye-opening. I think we (straight people) don't necessarily think about certain implications of being "different" or how that may affect a person. If you don't have a problem with gay people, I think it's easy to overlook certain things. My initial reaction to both Heated Rivalry and Game Changer was, "So what? Come out... who cares?" But the reality is a lot of people do. A lot of people don't want to hear about their idols being anything less than the "epitome of masculinity". (Note, I am using quotes because I don't think anyone is less masculine or feminine for being gay.) Which is unfortunate. I think the best thing we could ask for and want for our idols is to be happy, a good person, a good player, and a good teammate.
"If you can play, you can play." That was the slogan for "You Can Play" a campaign started by Patrick Burke (an NHL scout and son of Brian Burke), Brian Kitts and Glen Witman, in March of 2012.
The inspiration for the campaign, now turned organisation, was Brendan Burke, Patrick's brother. Brendan was the closest relation to someone in the NHL coming out as gay. He played hockey for Miami University and found the strength to come out to his teammates as gay. He was one of the first players in the hockey world to do so. Brendan Burke passed away at the age of 21 from a tragic car accident. But his legacy still lives on in his brother's and father's dedication to eliminating homophobia in sports.
For more information about You Can Play, its founding, and its partnership with the National Hockey League, visit their website youcanplay.org.
You can find Heated Rivalry in its respective mediums below:
You can find Heated Rivalry (2025, directed by Jacob Tierney),Season 1, on Crave (CAN) or HBO Max (USA). You can watch the trailer below via Crave's YouTube Channel.
* Book cover image retrieved from GoodReads. All rights belong to the author and/or publisher. * All the "stickers" in this blog were provided by Bookish (presented by NetGalley). * Links in this blog may be generated through the Amazon Associates Program. By using this link, I may make a small profit (at no cost to you) from your purchase.
This book specifically is focused on two gay men (MM)
Other genres: Romance, Sports, Sports Romance
Before there was Heated Rivalry, there was Game Changer!
In case you have been living under a rock the last few months, let me introduce you to the Game Changer Series by Rachel Reid. Gaining popularity, thanks to the Crave adaptation, the Game Changer Series has become an international phenomenon! But before Ilya and Shane, there was Kip and Scott.
Kip Grady is casually going about his life, working as a barista at Straw and Berry, while living at home to help pay his way through grad school. Little did he know his life was about to change.
Scott Hunter is the captain of the New York Admirals. And like any professional hockey player, Scott is going through a slump. Frustrated with how the season is going, Scott is ready to try anything to get back to his winning ways. One day, while out running, he stopped in a little smoothie shop.
Blue Moon over Brooklyn, extra banana. That is Kip Grady's professional recommendation. And wouldn't you know it, Scott Hunter is a blueberry and banana fan. That night, Scott scored a hat-trick (3 goals), and the tradition began. Professional athletes are strange like that, keeping routines alive so as not to break the lucky streak. And with that in mind, Scott starts to frequently visit Kip at work to get his special smoothies.
Known as one of New York's most eligible bachelors, pro hockey star Scott Hunter has a secret. Something that might derail his career entirely. He couldn't actually be seen with another man, could he? He had people who depended on him, but how much longer can he keep his love life a secret?
The Review
I must admit, I only started reading this series because of the Crave/HBO Max series Heated Rivalry. But I fell in love. I loved the slow burn that "Skip" (Scott + KIP) provided; there was a lot more romance and "meat" to the story. I enjoyed getting to know Kip, meeting his friends, and his family. It is such a sharp contrast to Scott, who is alone in life; he lost his parents young, and he doesn't really seem to have time for friends, though he does have teammates that he considers friends. He lives in a large penthouse and doesn't worry about money. The only thing Scott cares about is the New York Admirals, carrying his teammates to "the cup" and keeping his squeaky clean image. Kip, on the other hand, has long since come to terms with who he is, and everyone in his life supports him.
I think that's what I love about their story. Kip sees Scott as a pro-hockey player; he has money, he's handsome, has all kinds of things going for him. While Scott looks at Kip and sees everything he wants to be, free. Their relationship is hard to navigate, and it's heartbreaking to see how torn Scott becomes between his professional life and his personal life.
SPOILER ALERT
Ultimately, Scott and Kip get their happily ever after in a very public way. And as a hockey girl, it made me screetch in delight. Every "tomboy" hockey girl has dreamed about the sexy hockey player making the grand gesture on the ice for them. For me, it was a certain Ottawa Senator, down on one knee with a dozen red roses and a wedding ring. Just me? Okay. . . Anyway, it is a wonderful ending to their story and a great start to the Game Changer series.
I listened to this book through my local library (via Libby).
The audiobook of Game Changer was narrated by Tor Thom. The first time I listened to the book, I didn't have a problem with the narration. In fact, I loved that Tor Thom did all kinds of different voices for each character. This really brought the characters to life in my opinion. Now that the TV series has come out, a lot of people seem to dislike Tor Thom's interpretation of Kip Grady. I must admit I understand. In the audiobook, Kip sounds very tough, like a hard New Yorker (with an accent), and a little barbaric in ways. That is definitely not what was portrayed in the TV series. While I do recognise that Kip Grady should probably have a New York accent, now that I know more about Kip, the accent used by Tor Thom definitely didn't suit the character.
Tor Thom narrated Heated Rivalry (Book 2), as well as Tough Guy (Book 3), before being replaced. Many fans are now calling for the books to be rerecorded either by Cooper North (the person who took over narrating the series) or by the actors from the TV series.
I don't care one way or another for a rerecord, but it is hard to deny that hearing Francois Arnaud (Scott Hunter) and Robbie G.K. (Kip Grady) reading their story would be amazing.
Rating and Recommendation
I originally gave this book four stars, but that's because I had heard such great things about Heated Rivalry (Ilya and Shane's story). Now that I have listened to the whole series, I have changed my mind. Game Changer, for me, is a five-star book. I love the back and forth, the slow burn, the yearning for each other. I love that they have a love story, one that can make anyone (even a 30-something-year-old straight woman) want to fall in love like that.
This is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I like Scott and Kip's story the best out of the original series. (By original series, I mean all the books before The Long Game. I consider this a sequel to Heated Rivalry, and naturally, now that I have fallen in love with Ilya and Shane, I can't be unbiased when reading any story involving them.)
After listening to this book, 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 Game Changer in its respective mediums below:
You can find Heated Rivalry (2025, directed by Jacob Tierney),Season 1, on Crave (CAN) or HBO Max (USA).
* Book cover image retrieved from GoodReads. All rights belong to the author and/or publisher. * All the "stickers" in this blog were provided by Bookish (presented by NetGalley). * Links in this blog may be generated through the Amazon Associates Program. By using this link, I may make a small profit (at no cost to you) from your purchase.
