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4.54 AVERAGE
4.54 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought I would be into this but the storyline about hiding their relationship was so long and drawn out. I ended up being really bored but was dedicated to finishing this either way. I also felt like Shane wasn't being a good partner. He was so wrapped up in how he felt about revealing their relationship that he failed to take into consideration how that impacted Ilya. I was actually rooting for them to break up and Ilya finding someone else.
This series was already firmly a new favourite for me, but this last book is everything to me. It made me experience the full spectrum of human emotions. I can tell I'll be rereading this a lot.
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Re-Read - March 2024 (audiobook review)
Still lovely. Still loved this and still a favourite! However, this is first review of audiobook. The narrator is different from the first book (which I thought was excellent). I did not like the new narrator as much but he's still good. The original narrator had better voices for Ilya and Shane -- but I still loved this and consider Shane and Ilya's epic story to be the ultimate when it comes to comfort reads. Still 4 stars. Recommended.
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Original Review - April 2022
I knew going in that it would be tough to follow [b:Heated Rivalry|41735449|Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2)|Rachel Reid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539738291l/41735449._SY75_.jpg|65120637] arguably the most perfect hockey romance ever written. My expectations going in were astronomically high and I really wanted this to be good. And it was ... kind of ... the magic is still there but I did like the first book a bit better. This one dragged in places and occasionally shifted into telling vs. showing with some of the marathon sex scenes that sometimes got tiresome. But I did enjoy the growth of the two MCs and their progression as a couple. I enjoyed the tension but felt at times a little heavy-handed. Particularly when it came to Troy Barrett whose own book was a close DNF for me (the only saving grace was the period appearances of Ilya!). Also, there are a lot of closeted and not-so-closeted LGBTQ+ NHL players (is this believable -- I'm not sure?). But the true litmus test is a few days after I finished the book -- I find myself missing Ilya and Sean's antics. They definitely have a way of getting under the reader's skin and though this may not have been the perfect sequel to a series I have come to love a lot -- it is charming and lovely -- highly entertaining and engaging. High expectations aside, this was a fun read, an excellent pairing, and occupies a worthy place on my all-time favourites shelf!
Still lovely. Still loved this and still a favourite! However, this is first review of audiobook. The narrator is different from the first book (which I thought was excellent). I did not like the new narrator as much but he's still good. The original narrator had better voices for Ilya and Shane -- but I still loved this and consider Shane and Ilya's epic story to be the ultimate when it comes to comfort reads. Still 4 stars. Recommended.
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Original Review - April 2022
I knew going in that it would be tough to follow [b:Heated Rivalry|41735449|Heated Rivalry (Game Changers #2)|Rachel Reid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539738291l/41735449._SY75_.jpg|65120637] arguably the most perfect hockey romance ever written. My expectations going in were astronomically high and I really wanted this to be good. And it was ... kind of ... the magic is still there but I did like the first book a bit better. This one dragged in places and occasionally shifted into telling vs. showing with some of the marathon sex scenes that sometimes got tiresome. But I did enjoy the growth of the two MCs and their progression as a couple. I enjoyed the tension but felt at times a little heavy-handed. Particularly when it came to Troy Barrett whose own book was a close DNF for me (the only saving grace was the period appearances of Ilya!). Also, there are a lot of closeted and not-so-closeted LGBTQ+ NHL players (is this believable -- I'm not sure?). But the true litmus test is a few days after I finished the book -- I find myself missing Ilya and Sean's antics. They definitely have a way of getting under the reader's skin and though this may not have been the perfect sequel to a series I have come to love a lot -- it is charming and lovely -- highly entertaining and engaging. High expectations aside, this was a fun read, an excellent pairing, and occupies a worthy place on my all-time favourites shelf!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Insta fave! I loved every bit of this book and I can't wait to reread it! Ilya and Shane's epic love story continues, with both men working together to coach hockey camps for their charity while still keeping their romantic relationship a secret. After ten years of secrecy, they're good at keeping their feelings on the down low, but the strain is showing, especially as Ilya spirals. Meanwhile, Shane is even more obsessed with performance perfection and living up to the daunting expectations of his team and fans. Although their love is strong and they're closer than ever, Ilya and Shane long for so much more -- for the freedom to openly acknowledge their love and live publicly as a couple.
I fell for Shane and Ilya in Heated Rivalry and I loved getting even more in depth with them in The Long Game. They've both grown so much and their declarations of love, acts of affection, and emotional vulnerability are some of the highlights of the book! All of their interactions are so charged and real that I couldn't stop reading! Heart eyes for days. I also appreciated how they really worked on their communication, especially as Ilya begins to acknowledge that he's not okay and needs help. I liked how the timeline of this book overlaps with Role Model and shows key events from that book from Ilya and Shane's points of view. There's also a host of recurring characters from the series who offer support and give insights into what's going on in the larger hockey world. Seeing these characters again was like the best reunion, and the end had me basking in all the feels! Highly recommend to fans of character driven stories, emotional and steamy romance, sports narratives, and found families! If you read and enjoyed Check, Please!, you will absolutely adore this book and series!
Insta fave! I loved every bit of this book and I can't wait to reread it! Ilya and Shane's epic love story continues, with both men working together to coach hockey camps for their charity while still keeping their romantic relationship a secret. After ten years of secrecy, they're good at keeping their feelings on the down low, but the strain is showing, especially as Ilya spirals. Meanwhile, Shane is even more obsessed with performance perfection and living up to the daunting expectations of his team and fans. Although their love is strong and they're closer than ever, Ilya and Shane long for so much more -- for the freedom to openly acknowledge their love and live publicly as a couple.
I fell for Shane and Ilya in Heated Rivalry and I loved getting even more in depth with them in The Long Game. They've both grown so much and their declarations of love, acts of affection, and emotional vulnerability are some of the highlights of the book! All of their interactions are so charged and real that I couldn't stop reading! Heart eyes for days. I also appreciated how they really worked on their communication, especially as Ilya begins to acknowledge that he's not okay and needs help. I liked how the timeline of this book overlaps with Role Model and shows key events from that book from Ilya and Shane's points of view. There's also a host of recurring characters from the series who offer support and give insights into what's going on in the larger hockey world. Seeing these characters again was like the best reunion, and the end had me basking in all the feels! Highly recommend to fans of character driven stories, emotional and steamy romance, sports narratives, and found families! If you read and enjoyed Check, Please!, you will absolutely adore this book and series!