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ceallaighsbooks 's review for:

The Long Game by Rachel Reid
5.0
emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
‘Wyatt suddenly appeared in front of them and leaned one elbow on the boards. “How’s it going, fellas?”

     “Shhh. Shane is watching the men set up pylons.”

     “Would you fuck off?” Shane snarled.

     Wyatt glanced at the ice. “That’s cool. The ice crew’s hard work isn’t appreciated enough. Except the Zamboni drivers. Talk about all-stars.” He slapped the boards. “There should be a Zamboni competition. With obstacles and stuff.”

     Ilya blinked at his goalie. “Yes. Great idea, Hazy.”

     “Congrats on winning the skating thing, Shane.”

     “Thanks.”

     “It was a tie, basically,” Ilya said.

     “That’s not what the clock said,” Shane argued.

     “If we did it again right now, I would probably win.”

     “Well, you should have won the first time, dickhead.”

     Wyatt furrowed his brow at them. “You know, you two don’t have to sit together.”’ 

title: The Long Game 
series: Game Changers (book #6) 
author: Rachel Reid 
published: 2022 
publisher: Carina Press 
 
genre/subgenre: gay hockey romance 
setting: various NHL-affiliated cities, especially Ottawa & Montreal 
main themes/subjects: closeted queer professional hockey players, sports rivalry, language barrier, long-term relationships, found family, friend groups, male friendships, toxic masculinity & homophobia in sports 
representation: bisexual Russian MMC, gay Asian-Canadian MMC, m/m romance, mental illness (depression, suicidal ideation) 
tropes: enemies/rivals-to-lovers, secret lovers, good-boy/bad-boy, one-true-love 
 
‘…but Shane still felt like they’d become dry kindling, waiting for the spark that would destroy them. Like there was something important that wasn’t being said, and they were both waiting for the other person to say it, but neither of them knew what it was.’ 

my thoughts:
This conclusion to Shane & Ilya’s story from book two of the Game Changers series was perfect. I think what I liked best about this book (& is why I’ve loved all of Reid’s books) is because she is so compassionate & empathetic towards her characters. She knows what each of them needs & deserves, & she makes sure their partners know or at least come to realize that & support each other in those ways. 
 
I also especially love the way she depicts male friendships & especially supportive cis-hetero & queer friendships both in the characters’ private lives, friend groups, & professional settings. I truly hope her books can be an inspiration for the hockey world & all american athletics to imagine a more inclusive way of approaching their respective sports industries. 
 
& that trophy room scene??? OK. hawt. very very hawt.
 
i would recommend this book to readers who fell in love with Ilya & Shane in book two & want(/need) more! this book is best read with a box of tissues handy. 
 
‘Shane huffed a laugh. “You sound like Ilya.”

     “Because we’re very much aligned in our views when it comes to you.”

     “You both think I’m an uptight wet blanket.”

     “We both love you to death, and want you to be happy. And we both know you can be your own worst enemy.”

     “Well. I had another enemy, but then I fell in love with him.”’ 

final note: A brilliant conclusion to one of my alltime favorite book series. Everyone should read these. Heated Rivalry, Role Model, & The Long Game were my favorite in that order. 
 
CW // homophobia, toxic masculinity, suicidal ideation 
spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 
season: hockey 
music pairing: “Diamonds” by Rihanna. Also mentioned in the book: DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win,” & Bad Bunny. 
 
further reading: 
  • Find out more about the You Can Play initiative for supporting queer folks in sports (in which the NHL & its partners very actively participates).
  • Find out more about the Hockey Talks (https://community.canucks.com/hockey-talks/) initiative which “aims to destigmatize mental health issues and encourage open conversations about them”. Begun in 2012, following the passing of Canucks player Rick Rypien in 2011, the Vancouver Canucks have committed to honouring Rick’s legacy by telling his story and carrying out his mission to support youth and families struggling with mental health challenges. Today 18 teams across the NHL participate in this initiative & other outreach related to mental health awareness.
  • Find out more about Bell Lets Talk (https://letstalk.bell.ca/), an initiative “dedicated to moving mental health forward in Canada, Bell Let’s Talk promotes awareness, acceptance and action with a strategy built on 4 key pillars: anti-stigma, care & access, research, & workplace leadership.”
  • the rest of the Game Changers series by Rachel Reid:
  • TIME TO SHINE by Rachel Reid (2023) —the one also sounds really good.
  • THE SHOTS YOU TAKE by Rachel Reid (out Mar 2025) —not part of the Game Changers series I think…
  • the Hockey Ever After series by Ashlyn Kane & Morgan James:
  • the Him trilogy by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy—book one: HIM (2015)
  • the Hockey Guys series by Sarina Bowen—book one: THE NEW GUY (2023)
  • the Check, Please! comic book duology by Ngozi Ukazu—book one: HOCKEY (2018)
  • the Puckboys series by Eden Finley—book one: EGOTISTICAL PUCKBOY (2022)

Click on the star ratings beside the titles I’ve read to read my reviews/thoughts about the book.

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‘Ilya laughed. “I love you so much it sucks.”’
 
Check out my review on StopAndSmellTheBooks.com for more of my favorite quotes, notes, & annotations.