Now that's how you write an established relationship. This book was so, so good. I love Shane. I love Ilya. I love Shane and Ilya together. Their relationship was written so well. They both love each other so much, and it shines through every moment of this book, even the difficult moments. The weight of their shared secret affected their relationship in believable ways, and it honestly felt suffocating to read how it hurt them both, even while they were so happy when they were together. I really enjoyed seeing how they learned to communicate better. And it really was fitting for Shane and Ilya's story to get a proper conclusion for the conclusion of the series. It was great seeing all the previous books' characters, especially in the ways The Long Game overlapped with Role Model. The ending was ridiculously happy, and it's absolutely what Shane and Ilya deserved.

Side note,

Montreal fumbled so hard with the way they treated Shane after his and Ilya's relationship was outed, and I hope they choke on their regret when they lose to Ottawa in the playoffs for the next ten years. It worked out in Shane's favor, but he deserved better after winning them three Stanley Cups.