Title: Game changers
Author: Rachel Reid
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Romance
Pages: 400
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️🖤🖤
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Game Changer
Scott Hunter is a famous ice hockey player, and he’s carrying a huge secret: he’s gay. He tries to hide it from everyone, but that becomes harder when he meets Kip, a juice bar barista. Scott likes him from the moment they meet, and eventually they start spending time together at Scott’s apartment. He can’t risk anyone finding out he’s gay. No one in the ice hockey world is openly gay, and he has to stay focused on his career.
But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to keep everything a secret, for both of them. Kip is openly gay, and he wants to spend time with his boyfriend in public. He wants to go to restaurants together. He wants to tell all his friends.
Kip is ready to go all in with Scott, but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?
Review
I had heard about Heated Rivalry, but for some reason, I decided to read the books first. Then I found out that the first book in the series isn’t Heated Rivalry, but Game Changer. And if I’m correct, the first season of the show is based on the second book. I want to read that one before watching it.
I have mixed feelings about this book, and like always, I like to start with the positives. It was extremely easy to read; you can fly right through it. I understand why it’s so popular. The characters are likable enough. I liked Scott the most. I felt sorry for him because he felt like he couldn’t truly be himself and had to hide his boyfriend.
I liked Kip a bit less because, after only two months, he was already pushing Scott to come out. While he understood Scott’s struggles, he didn’t want to be a secret anymore. I thought that felt a bit rushed; it had only been two months. Some straight couples don’t even tell their friends they’re dating at that point.
One thing I noticed is that the writing style felt almost like it was aimed at teenagers or young adults, while the content definitely isn’t for that audience. I read that this was Rachel Reid’s first book and that her later books are better written. I’m not blaming her or anything; it’s just something I picked up on.
Another thing I want to mention: there’s a lot of spice in this book, like, a lot. I’m not the biggest fan of that, especially when it feels like the plot takes a backseat to those scenes. I don’t mind a little bit of spice, but when there are more spicy scenes than actual plot, it’s just not for me. I read books for the story.
Overall, I gave it a 3 out of 5, which is decent. It wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t a favorite. I’m still planning to read the second book and then watch the show, I want to see what all the hype is about. People say it’s really that good, so I’m curious.