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Game Changers #1
Game Changer
New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pregame rituals very seriously. In this case, it’s not just a lucky smoothie he’s craving—it’s the man who made it.
Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, when a smoothie made by juice bar barista Kip Grady precedes Scott breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic...and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.
Kip knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, never mind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.
Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?
Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, when a smoothie made by juice bar barista Kip Grady precedes Scott breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic...and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.
Kip knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, never mind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.
Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?
400 pages, ebook
First published October 22, 2018
11464 people are currently reading
34116 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Reid
12 books5,539 followersRachel Reid is the pen name of Rachelle Goguen. She chose it because it is much easier to say, spell and remember than Rachelle Goguen!
Rachel writes cute, romantic smut, mostly about hockey players. Her Game Changers m/m hockey romance series is available from Carina Press.
Rachel/Rachelle lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. She has always lived there, and it's looking like she probably always will. She has two boring degrees and two interesting kids.
Rachel writes cute, romantic smut, mostly about hockey players. Her Game Changers m/m hockey romance series is available from Carina Press.
Rachel/Rachelle lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. She has always lived there, and it's looking like she probably always will. She has two boring degrees and two interesting kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,422 reviews
August 6, 2018
*2.5 stars*
I almost rounded up with this one because the ending was 1000% better than the first half, but I remembered how much I didn't enjoy the first 50% of the story and I couldn't do it.
Look, I think a ton of people are going to love this one. It's a cute story about a closeted hockey player (automatic bonus points because HOCKEY) and his smoothie-making love interest. There is a lot of sex (more on that later), and I know the story will find its fan base. However, this wasn't the kind of story I typically enjoy.
I have certain requirements when it comes to my romances, and it's really important for me to have a slow burn. If the book is exceptionally good, I can do a quickie and insta-love at first meeting, but that's like a once-a-year exception for me.
Game Changer had such a rapid turn from meeting to love that my head was spinning. I really don't like when we get hook-ups and lovey dovey stuff in the first portion of the story, and it was just too fast for me to feel like any of it was real.
Plus, those non-stop sex scenes. I actually skimmed all of them after the first two because constant sex without that sexual tension build-up does nearly nothing for me. It was excessive for my tastes, and I just wasn't into it at all.
The first part of the story felt superficial, repetitive, and formulaic to me. However, after the 50% mark things started to turn around.
I honestly was happy at the sappy last 25% of the story. I'm a romance reader, so gestures of romance make my heart happy. Though I still don't believe that someone with as much on the line as Scott would move so fast after just a few months of dating, the last portion of the story was much better for me and nearly bumped my rating to 3-stars.
I'm sure this book will do really well, and I'm happy for the author for getting her first book out there (no small thing!), but I don't think I'm the audience for this kind of story, hockey MC aside. Though I'd tune back in if the author went with an enemies-to-lovers or slow-burn theme for her next book in the series...
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
I almost rounded up with this one because the ending was 1000% better than the first half, but I remembered how much I didn't enjoy the first 50% of the story and I couldn't do it.
Look, I think a ton of people are going to love this one. It's a cute story about a closeted hockey player (automatic bonus points because HOCKEY) and his smoothie-making love interest. There is a lot of sex (more on that later), and I know the story will find its fan base. However, this wasn't the kind of story I typically enjoy.
I have certain requirements when it comes to my romances, and it's really important for me to have a slow burn. If the book is exceptionally good, I can do a quickie and insta-love at first meeting, but that's like a once-a-year exception for me.
Game Changer had such a rapid turn from meeting to love that my head was spinning. I really don't like when we get hook-ups and lovey dovey stuff in the first portion of the story, and it was just too fast for me to feel like any of it was real.
Plus, those non-stop sex scenes. I actually skimmed all of them after the first two because constant sex without that sexual tension build-up does nearly nothing for me. It was excessive for my tastes, and I just wasn't into it at all.
The first part of the story felt superficial, repetitive, and formulaic to me. However, after the 50% mark things started to turn around.
I honestly was happy at the sappy last 25% of the story. I'm a romance reader, so gestures of romance make my heart happy. Though I still don't believe that someone with as much on the line as Scott would move so fast after just a few months of dating, the last portion of the story was much better for me and nearly bumped my rating to 3-stars.
I'm sure this book will do really well, and I'm happy for the author for getting her first book out there (no small thing!), but I don't think I'm the audience for this kind of story, hockey MC aside. Though I'd tune back in if the author went with an enemies-to-lovers or slow-burn theme for her next book in the series...
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
December 5, 2025
3.5⭐️ Kip and Scott are truly so wholesome! This book was like a warm hug. I’m so excited to see them come to life in the tv show. Truly the cutest couple I can’t!! And the Ilya crumbs >>>>>>>> of course like that was my favorite part because that man is everything to me. I will say though like the insta love got to be a bit much at points and I felt like Kip weirdly just “got over” a lot of his issues sooooo fast it caught me off guard. Could have also done with a little less spice I was skipping it at the end but it was still a light fun read!
July 9, 2018
I've never watched a hockey game in my life, but I love books about hockey players. Because HOCKEY PLAYERS. No explanation required.
Scott Hunter is a closeted star hockey player, team captain, and a minor celebrity in New York. His team is having an amazing season, but he's not bringing his A game. One day, he stops by a smoothie shop and orders a blueberry concoction. The smoothie is good, but the guy who makes it is even better.
Kip is 25 and has an undergrad degree in history. He has no real direction and hates his menial job, but doesn't seem motivated to do much else. Kip is a cutie: sweet, snarky, and utterly obsessed with the hot hockey player who keeps coming round to Straw+Berry.
Scott and Kip jump into a relationship very quickly and have out-of-this-world chemistry. The conflict stems from Scott's unwillingness to come out. Kip doesn't push, not initially, but once Scott's team makes the playoffs, he starts to feel like an accessory to Scott's life, especially when Scott doesn't even consider bringing him as a date to the team's dinner banquet.
I became frustrated with both MCs as the story progressed: Scott adores Kip, but his fear of coming out makes Kip feel like a dirty secret. Kip, on the other hand, gives Scott all his time and attention without asking for anything in return, and when it becomes too much, he runs instead of sitting Scott down and sharing his grievances.
I have to admit that the first half of Game Changer dragged a little for me. The MCs jump into bed almost immediately and never come up for air. I scream for steam, so it pains me to say this, but *whispers* there was perhaps too much sex in this story. At times, it felt like filler.
The story picked up in the second half, as I became more invested in the men's relationship, which doesn't exist in a vacuum. There's an actual world outside of Scott's bedroom.
The secondary characters are very well sketched, and the camaraderie Scott has with his team is heartwarming. I loved Scott's best friend Carter who teases relentlessly because he cares, as well as Kip's friends Elena and Maria, who are hilarious.
The angst is fairly minimal. At one point, Scott has to deal with a destructive teammate, but that story line doesn't go anywhere. Kip's family is super supportive (Kip's dad for the win!), as are Scott's close friends.
Some readers might find Scott and Kip's interactions to be sugar-coma inducing, but I (not so secretly) love that kind of stuff. Close-to-perfect relationships do exist in real life, and it's nice to see two well adjusted men who don't shy away from commitment.
Includes: romantic dinners, lots of dirty talk, a public kiss that changes everything, humour, and a hopeful HEA. I see the potential for a fun series (hello, Finnish god of hockey!) and would definitely read another book by Rachel Reid in the future.
Scott Hunter is a closeted star hockey player, team captain, and a minor celebrity in New York. His team is having an amazing season, but he's not bringing his A game. One day, he stops by a smoothie shop and orders a blueberry concoction. The smoothie is good, but the guy who makes it is even better.
Kip is 25 and has an undergrad degree in history. He has no real direction and hates his menial job, but doesn't seem motivated to do much else. Kip is a cutie: sweet, snarky, and utterly obsessed with the hot hockey player who keeps coming round to Straw+Berry.
Scott and Kip jump into a relationship very quickly and have out-of-this-world chemistry. The conflict stems from Scott's unwillingness to come out. Kip doesn't push, not initially, but once Scott's team makes the playoffs, he starts to feel like an accessory to Scott's life, especially when Scott doesn't even consider bringing him as a date to the team's dinner banquet.
I became frustrated with both MCs as the story progressed: Scott adores Kip, but his fear of coming out makes Kip feel like a dirty secret. Kip, on the other hand, gives Scott all his time and attention without asking for anything in return, and when it becomes too much, he runs instead of sitting Scott down and sharing his grievances.
I have to admit that the first half of Game Changer dragged a little for me. The MCs jump into bed almost immediately and never come up for air. I scream for steam, so it pains me to say this, but *whispers* there was perhaps too much sex in this story. At times, it felt like filler.
The story picked up in the second half, as I became more invested in the men's relationship, which doesn't exist in a vacuum. There's an actual world outside of Scott's bedroom.
The secondary characters are very well sketched, and the camaraderie Scott has with his team is heartwarming. I loved Scott's best friend Carter who teases relentlessly because he cares, as well as Kip's friends Elena and Maria, who are hilarious.
The angst is fairly minimal. At one point, Scott has to deal with a destructive teammate, but that story line doesn't go anywhere. Kip's family is super supportive (Kip's dad for the win!), as are Scott's close friends.
Some readers might find Scott and Kip's interactions to be sugar-coma inducing, but I (not so secretly) love that kind of stuff. Close-to-perfect relationships do exist in real life, and it's nice to see two well adjusted men who don't shy away from commitment.
Includes: romantic dinners, lots of dirty talk, a public kiss that changes everything, humour, and a hopeful HEA. I see the potential for a fun series (hello, Finnish god of hockey!) and would definitely read another book by Rachel Reid in the future.
April 28, 2025
You know, I had sex with a hockey player once. Wasn’t great. Probably because I’m a lesbian. He tried his best.
As did this book.
2 stars.
As did this book.
2 stars.
October 20, 2018
3.5 cute sugar coma stars
This was me while reading this book!
M C 1: Kip! Like Carter, I like that name- Kip is an out and proud smoothie maker at Straw+Berry place, with a History degree that he has no idea how to use. I loved Kip, he is so adorable, loving, cute.
MC 2: Scott is a closeted hockey star and a sports celebrity. I liked Scott, he is charming, a great hockey player, and so cute. But at some point I wanted to slap him hard for dragging Kip back into the closet.
These two meet when Scott stops by Straw+Berry, to order a smoothie and is served by Kip. The connection is instant. These two stupid fools jump into a relationship faster than a speeding bullet. Although it is Insta lust/love, I felt the chemistry between Kip and Scott from the get go. They were too cute for my taste but I have to admit once in while I like to bathe in sugar and honey and these two gave me that.
The first half of the story was sweet and hot! it focused on Scott and Kip getting to know each other, this part had A LOT of Sex! that became repetitive. I like sex in my books, but here it was just too much, it felt like the sex scenes were used as page fillers. I hope book 2 rectifies that.
The second part is where it all comes together, after the honeymoon sex-fest bliss fades; Kip is really hit with the downside of dating a closeted athlete. I got frustrated with both Kip and Scott. They love each other deeply but Scott is reluctant to come out of the closet and treats Kip like his dirty little secret and Kip is afraid to push, yet he wants to do normal couple things. I just wanted to shake them both.
For a debut book this is well written and a feel good story, we have enough dose of banter. It is cute without being cheesy and the author got me invested enough to continue with this series. The MCs are so likable and the other supporting characters are amazing too.
I would like to believe this is not the final copy, there was a problem with formatting that affected the POV changes.
Overall I really did have a good time with this book.
Recommended when you are in the mood for some sugar rush, cuteness overload, low angst read.
ARC kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This was me while reading this book!
M C 1: Kip! Like Carter, I like that name- Kip is an out and proud smoothie maker at Straw+Berry place, with a History degree that he has no idea how to use. I loved Kip, he is so adorable, loving, cute.
MC 2: Scott is a closeted hockey star and a sports celebrity. I liked Scott, he is charming, a great hockey player, and so cute. But at some point I wanted to slap him hard for dragging Kip back into the closet.
These two meet when Scott stops by Straw+Berry, to order a smoothie and is served by Kip. The connection is instant. These two stupid fools jump into a relationship faster than a speeding bullet. Although it is Insta lust/love, I felt the chemistry between Kip and Scott from the get go. They were too cute for my taste but I have to admit once in while I like to bathe in sugar and honey and these two gave me that.
The first half of the story was sweet and hot! it focused on Scott and Kip getting to know each other, this part had A LOT of Sex! that became repetitive. I like sex in my books, but here it was just too much, it felt like the sex scenes were used as page fillers. I hope book 2 rectifies that.
The second part is where it all comes together, after the honeymoon sex-fest bliss fades; Kip is really hit with the downside of dating a closeted athlete. I got frustrated with both Kip and Scott. They love each other deeply but Scott is reluctant to come out of the closet and treats Kip like his dirty little secret and Kip is afraid to push, yet he wants to do normal couple things. I just wanted to shake them both.
For a debut book this is well written and a feel good story, we have enough dose of banter. It is cute without being cheesy and the author got me invested enough to continue with this series. The MCs are so likable and the other supporting characters are amazing too.
I would like to believe this is not the final copy, there was a problem with formatting that affected the POV changes.
Overall I really did have a good time with this book.
Recommended when you are in the mood for some sugar rush, cuteness overload, low angst read.
ARC kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
November 9, 2019
Audio - 1.5 Star
All I can say is that the narrator's performance, though not perfect, improves in the second book. His performance as Kip was painful to listen to. Like I stated in my update, to me, it sounded like either Kip had a speech impediment or like he was doing a bad impersonation of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Story - 3.5 Stars
Not as good as book 2 but still quite enjoyable.
All I can say is that the narrator's performance, though not perfect, improves in the second book. His performance as Kip was painful to listen to. Like I stated in my update, to me, it sounded like either Kip had a speech impediment or like he was doing a bad impersonation of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Story - 3.5 Stars
Not as good as book 2 but still quite enjoyable.
December 16, 2025
Like, the book was okay?
Kip and Scott are kinda mid and you can’t change my mind.
As I mentioned in my updates, this was kinda the most generic plotted, basic bitch snooze fest 😴😴😴😴 …
and not a single smidge of brain processing power was needed in the creation of this book… so that could be a positive or negative depending on what you want?
Kip and Scott were cute enough, the ending actually had a cute moment that made me squeeeeeee, they smashed a lot (I supported that) but they got together very early and then it felt like…
Uhhhh…. How is there 82% of book left to go…?
What could possibly happen?….
The answer….? Literally nothing.
Also, lowkey felt like.. a word limit was hit…. because the amount of times the letter ‘i’ was cut out of a sentence WAS INFURIATING.
Yes it’s a me problem, but I couldn’t stop hyper focussing on it. I get it meant to be breathy or sexy or something but I don’t know why it annoys me so much.
“Wanna feel you”
“Need you”
“Wanna see it”
🤢😡💢
please stop doing that.👏
Kip and Scott are kinda mid and you can’t change my mind.
As I mentioned in my updates, this was kinda the most generic plotted, basic bitch snooze fest 😴😴😴😴 …
and not a single smidge of brain processing power was needed in the creation of this book… so that could be a positive or negative depending on what you want?
Kip and Scott were cute enough, the ending actually had a cute moment that made me squeeeeeee, they smashed a lot (I supported that) but they got together very early and then it felt like…
Uhhhh…. How is there 82% of book left to go…?
What could possibly happen?….
The answer….? Literally nothing.
Also, lowkey felt like.. a word limit was hit…. because the amount of times the letter ‘i’ was cut out of a sentence WAS INFURIATING.
Yes it’s a me problem, but I couldn’t stop hyper focussing on it. I get it meant to be breathy or sexy or something but I don’t know why it annoys me so much.
“Wanna feel you”
“Need you”
“Wanna see it”
🤢😡💢
please stop doing that.👏
December 13, 2021
1.5 stars
My rating for this book does not reflect my enjoyment of the entire book, but rather one plot point that I just didn’t like and that I think is problematic in the way it was shown.
This was a buddy read with my dear Candy, thank you for the moral support bestie, it really was needed for this one.
Brief summary
Kip works at a smoothie shop and Scott goes to get something there. Scott is a big time hockey player thats not having a good season. They end up falling in love but run into issues because Scott doesn’t want to come out and Kip does not feel comfortable hidding their relationship.
I will be honest, I was loving this book before the 71% mark. I was well on my way to a book I really loved. I was loving the banter, the super sweet romance, how everything was kind of awkward at first and then super sweet in their relationship and Scott, who is one of the best main character of all time and now a favourite of mine. Also the hockey parts were super lovely and as a hockey fan, I really appreciated them, a lot. And Scott’s teamates were such a good group of guys and I loved them.
But at 70%, they get into an argument because Kip wants Scott to come out and Scott does not want to. They go their separate way, but they are not broken up, they never say anything about being broken up, they just had a fight, but it wasn’t a break up. And after that, another guy kisses Kip and Kip kisses him back. They stop at that but considering that Scott and Kip hadn’t broken up, that is cheating. No amount of excuses and the fact that they had fought makes it any better to me, it’s still cheating in the situation they were in. Even if Kip stoped the kiss, he still kissed the other dude back. And then no one talked about it being cheating or anything, and Kip did not even tell Scott or apologize about it. Which really rubed me the wrong way, I just wish they talked about it atleast. It’s not a good sign if you’re hiding things like kissing someone else from your partner. But it was still cheating and I just cannot get behind a romance in which one of the character cheats because they get in a little fight. Expecially since they just got in a fight and hadn’t broken up. And it’s even worst for me if that character doesn’t tell his character what happened, I just cannot see a romance working with that event as a fundation.
Also, I didn’t like how it was Scott who had to apologize and come out to be with Kip (after Kip had pressured him into it) when in this situation, it was Kip was seemed to be in the wrong and should have been the one apologizing. I really don’t like the trope of the wrong person apologizing and I don’t like the pressuring someone into coming out thing, at all, so those parts didn’t work for me either.
There were many sweet scenes after that and I did really love the start of the book but sadly I just couldn’t enjoy the book knowing that one of the main character is ready to cheat on his partner any time they have a small disagreement.
My rating for this book does not reflect my enjoyment of the entire book, but rather one plot point that I just didn’t like and that I think is problematic in the way it was shown.
This was a buddy read with my dear Candy, thank you for the moral support bestie, it really was needed for this one.
Brief summary
Kip works at a smoothie shop and Scott goes to get something there. Scott is a big time hockey player thats not having a good season. They end up falling in love but run into issues because Scott doesn’t want to come out and Kip does not feel comfortable hidding their relationship.
I will be honest, I was loving this book before the 71% mark. I was well on my way to a book I really loved. I was loving the banter, the super sweet romance, how everything was kind of awkward at first and then super sweet in their relationship and Scott, who is one of the best main character of all time and now a favourite of mine. Also the hockey parts were super lovely and as a hockey fan, I really appreciated them, a lot. And Scott’s teamates were such a good group of guys and I loved them.
But at 70%, they get into an argument because Kip wants Scott to come out and Scott does not want to. They go their separate way, but they are not broken up, they never say anything about being broken up, they just had a fight, but it wasn’t a break up. And after that, another guy kisses Kip and Kip kisses him back. They stop at that but considering that Scott and Kip hadn’t broken up, that is cheating. No amount of excuses and the fact that they had fought makes it any better to me, it’s still cheating in the situation they were in. Even if Kip stoped the kiss, he still kissed the other dude back. And then no one talked about it being cheating or anything, and Kip did not even tell Scott or apologize about it. Which really rubed me the wrong way, I just wish they talked about it atleast. It’s not a good sign if you’re hiding things like kissing someone else from your partner. But it was still cheating and I just cannot get behind a romance in which one of the character cheats because they get in a little fight. Expecially since they just got in a fight and hadn’t broken up. And it’s even worst for me if that character doesn’t tell his character what happened, I just cannot see a romance working with that event as a fundation.
Also, I didn’t like how it was Scott who had to apologize and come out to be with Kip (after Kip had pressured him into it) when in this situation, it was Kip was seemed to be in the wrong and should have been the one apologizing. I really don’t like the trope of the wrong person apologizing and I don’t like the pressuring someone into coming out thing, at all, so those parts didn’t work for me either.
There were many sweet scenes after that and I did really love the start of the book but sadly I just couldn’t enjoy the book knowing that one of the main character is ready to cheat on his partner any time they have a small disagreement.
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August 5, 2021
Game Changer is book one in the Game Changers series by Rachel Reid. I’ve been reading this series all out of order. First, I read book two, then skipped to book five. Now I went back to book one. This is Kip and Scott’s book and I loved it so much!!
Scott Hunter is twenty eight years old and plays professional hockey for the New York Admirals. He is team captain, huge and full of muscles, insanely good looking, and secretly gay. He’s known this about himself since he was a teenager. But about the same time he began to realize that hockey was something more to him, a possible career. And that’s just how it turned out. There has never been a gay man come out in the sport of hockey. In fact, their taunts on the ice included plenty of taunts regarding sexuality. So Scott lived his life in complete secrecy. He had no family, only his friends on his team. No one knew, and he was so lonely. To the outside world, he had it all. But behind closed doors, he had nothing.
Scott was in a slump on the ice. Nothing seemed to go right. On this particular morning, while on a morning run, he decided to stop in to a smoothie shop for a smoothie. That’s the morning his life was forever changed.
Kip Grady is twenty five years old and works at Straw + Berry smoothie shop. Did Kip think he’d be twenty five with a college degree in history, working at a smoothie shop and living with his parents? No he did not. But he hasn’t been able to find work in his field and he has a heap of student loans to pay. Kip is also a gay man that lives his life out in the open, with a loving and accepting family and friends. The morning Scott Hunter walked into the shop, all Kip saw was a gorgeous man who stole his ability to speak! It wasn’t until later that he realized who he was. Much to his surprise, Scott showed up again, and then again! And it seems that the blueberry kale smoothies might just be improving Scott’s luck on the ice! Or, maybe it has something to do with Kip?!
This is kind of an insta-lust story. These two were intensely attracted to each other. Neither really had much skill at flirting so they were so cute. And let me tell you that those initial sparks between them turned into fireworks. They…were…HOT!!! Kip just can’t understand what someone like Scott would see in him. And Scott sees Kip as everything that has been missing from his life. The only rule is, that no one can know. Their blooming relationship can be behind the doors of Scott’s penthouse apartment and no where else. For a while, the newness of their relationship and the added thrill of a secret was enough. But as Scott and his team approached the playoffs, and his life got much busier, the isolation became harder to take. Is this a life Kip is willing to live just to be with Scott? Or were they always destined to just be a fling? With no hope for forever?
I loved this book! I love this series! Since I have been reading the series out of order, I did know one thing that was going to happen at the end and I was afraid it would take away from the whole moment for me but it didn’t at all. It was still just as wonderful. And the epilogue was so fantastic. Such a great series. Since I’ve already read book two, Heated Rivalry, Shane and Ilya’s book, next I’ll be reading book three, Tough Guy, Ryan Price’s book. I can’t wait.
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July 27, 2024
2.5 stars
I swear to God the next book better live up to the hype or I'm not trusting any of you ever again.
I swear to God the next book better live up to the hype or I'm not trusting any of you ever again.
July 2, 2025
1.5 stars
I don't think a book has ever simultaneously bored me to tears and then proceeded to piss me off as much as this one did.
I didn't DNF as I wanted to in the first half because I did pay 4 bucks for this and I did see reviews that said it got better.
It did not get better for me.
It at least got less boring, which is why I gave it 1.5 stars, but then while it kept my attention it just started to piss me the fuck off. More accurately, Kip did.
The first half was basically this:
- They meet, barely talk, but like each other
- They dance around not doing much until a few weeks later
- They have sex, and then some more sex. All the dialogue is pretty boring and it just says "they talked and laughed" for what I bet was the interesting, getting to know you shit.
- Kit is actually likable, and sweet and that was one plus
- I actually didn't mind Scott
- But Kit & Scott being somewhat likable did not save me from the boredom. I started skimming a lot of parts - which didn't stop in the second half, but that was more skipping because I was pissed off - and did not care for the long, drawn out sex scenes. Like usually I hate when there is barely any detail...but then I guess there is also TOO much detail, too many times. I don't need each sex scene written out in like 5, 6 page long detail.
The second half, while it had less sex (but still had those drawn out sex scenes regardless), instead of bored me, it:
- Caused drama for drama's sake.
- I get being annoyed and frustrated and not wanting to be closeted, and I get not liking have to hide, but Kip didn't last one fucking month before he was done with the sneaking around.
- At two months, he just couldn't handle it anymore, got into a fight with Scott and walked out. Real fucking mature.
- OH! Oh, but then - and I don't care about spoiling this even, although I guess this is warning enough for a spoiler - but then after he walks out, he goes and gets drunk and kisses another guy. Well, the guy kisses him, but then he kisses back. Which I wouldn't have minded, seeing as he pulls back and doesn't go further, but then he doesn't tell Scott about it at all. AT ALL. Yeah, what a great relationship these two have, lying about shit - on Kip's part mainly.
- Which reminds me that he never tells Scott about his job interview, because he doesn't want to feel like a failure in Scott's eyes. Which isn't even trusting Scott or giving him the benefit of the doubt, but okay. Also, he never tells Scott about that failed job interview either. And Kip eventually tells Scott about getting into Grad School.
I'm sorry, but I couldn't get behind Kip's asshole behavior, and then of COURSE - I fucking knew it was coming - it was Scott apologizing, it was Scott reaching out, it was Scott saying he was going to fix things. Look, not to say that Scott always handled things the best - he didn't, and he wasn't always the nicest to Kip. But Kip didn't tell Scott any of what was bothering him, and then even as he's thinking "i'm not gonna pressure Scott" he goes and pressures Scott, and has the gall to not even try and empathize with what Scott is going through, as if it's just that easy for Scott to come out.
Right, so that's why there are no out players in the major sports in America (And the one who did - in Football - faded into obscurity). Makes SO much sense.
Kip was not cute, he was not sweet and he was a major asshole. Not understanding at all, and PLUS the whole thing with Kyle and that kiss and not telling Scott about it - and I realize Kip was drunk and I blame Kyle more for the kiss itself, because he knew Kip was drunk, but Kip still should have told Scott - or telling him about his life much, really, and then acting like the victim and going along and not taking responsibility for his shit, or letting Scott in and trusting him.
God, I don't know why I hated this book so much - I've read other hockey books with closeted characters, read one recently where a situation was similar to this...but it just handled it SO much better! For one, neither MC's acted like Kip, so that's a plus, and also they talked and made it work.
But after all the drama and how Kip acted, it was pretty easy after all for Scott to come out. Which wouldn't bother me too much - stories don't always have to be realistic - except I was already pissed and annoyed by this story and Scott being so sweet to Kip when frankly, Kip didn't deserve it.
Also, an aside, the writing wasn't the best. It wasn't bad, but it had problems. My biggest pet peeve throughout was the straight dialogue we'd get so many times, without any qualifiers, emotions, etc. Like I get writing classes say not to use qualifiers excessively, I get that, but also having big chunks of dialogue throughout with anything around it just loses a lot of the emotions between the characters, because we can't always get the inflections or meanings behind what they're saying. I think that contributed to what made it so boring at first - I wasn't getting much of anything from the characters.
Also, Kip and Scott didn't have great chemistry, I wondered why they were interested in each other beyond the physical when we didn't get much of anything else besides sex, and when they did do things beside sex it was almost sugary sweet without the payoff of getting to that sugary sweetness. They said "I love you" way too soon and I didn't buy it.
There were also so many conversations and so on that could have either been cut down or cut out. This was way too long and I would get to 28,29,30 percent and felt like I read 50 pages in that span. It was draggginnng until it wasn't, but then it was pissing me off.
Kip and Scott was a little bit promising at first...but then they bored me. And then Kip pissed me off. There were a few lines that made me laugh and as I said, it at least got less boring, so I'm giving this .5 up from 1 star. But that's all I'm giving to this. I considered giving it two stars, but then I just couldn't, with how little I liked and how much I disliked.
And I'm bummed too, because the sneak peek for the next book actually interested me and those guys actually had chemistry....but I read this and while there was chemistry, it was already quite dragged out and I just knew I would probably be skipping parts in that one as well.
This author was not a good match for me, I'm afraid. I rarely dislike books this much, but this one got to me, I guess.
Do NOT recommend.
I don't think a book has ever simultaneously bored me to tears and then proceeded to piss me off as much as this one did.
I didn't DNF as I wanted to in the first half because I did pay 4 bucks for this and I did see reviews that said it got better.
It did not get better for me.
It at least got less boring, which is why I gave it 1.5 stars, but then while it kept my attention it just started to piss me the fuck off. More accurately, Kip did.
The first half was basically this:
- They meet, barely talk, but like each other
- They dance around not doing much until a few weeks later
- They have sex, and then some more sex. All the dialogue is pretty boring and it just says "they talked and laughed" for what I bet was the interesting, getting to know you shit.
- Kit is actually likable, and sweet and that was one plus
- I actually didn't mind Scott
- But Kit & Scott being somewhat likable did not save me from the boredom. I started skimming a lot of parts - which didn't stop in the second half, but that was more skipping because I was pissed off - and did not care for the long, drawn out sex scenes. Like usually I hate when there is barely any detail...but then I guess there is also TOO much detail, too many times. I don't need each sex scene written out in like 5, 6 page long detail.
The second half, while it had less sex (but still had those drawn out sex scenes regardless), instead of bored me, it:
- Caused drama for drama's sake.
- I get being annoyed and frustrated and not wanting to be closeted, and I get not liking have to hide, but Kip didn't last one fucking month before he was done with the sneaking around.
- At two months, he just couldn't handle it anymore, got into a fight with Scott and walked out. Real fucking mature.
- OH! Oh, but then - and I don't care about spoiling this even, although I guess this is warning enough for a spoiler - but then after he walks out, he goes and gets drunk and kisses another guy. Well, the guy kisses him, but then he kisses back. Which I wouldn't have minded, seeing as he pulls back and doesn't go further, but then he doesn't tell Scott about it at all. AT ALL. Yeah, what a great relationship these two have, lying about shit - on Kip's part mainly.
- Which reminds me that he never tells Scott about his job interview, because he doesn't want to feel like a failure in Scott's eyes. Which isn't even trusting Scott or giving him the benefit of the doubt, but okay. Also, he never tells Scott about that failed job interview either. And Kip eventually tells Scott about getting into Grad School.
I'm sorry, but I couldn't get behind Kip's asshole behavior, and then of COURSE - I fucking knew it was coming - it was Scott apologizing, it was Scott reaching out, it was Scott saying he was going to fix things. Look, not to say that Scott always handled things the best - he didn't, and he wasn't always the nicest to Kip. But Kip didn't tell Scott any of what was bothering him, and then even as he's thinking "i'm not gonna pressure Scott" he goes and pressures Scott, and has the gall to not even try and empathize with what Scott is going through, as if it's just that easy for Scott to come out.
Right, so that's why there are no out players in the major sports in America (And the one who did - in Football - faded into obscurity). Makes SO much sense.
Kip was not cute, he was not sweet and he was a major asshole. Not understanding at all, and PLUS the whole thing with Kyle and that kiss and not telling Scott about it - and I realize Kip was drunk and I blame Kyle more for the kiss itself, because he knew Kip was drunk, but Kip still should have told Scott - or telling him about his life much, really, and then acting like the victim and going along and not taking responsibility for his shit, or letting Scott in and trusting him.
God, I don't know why I hated this book so much - I've read other hockey books with closeted characters, read one recently where a situation was similar to this...but it just handled it SO much better! For one, neither MC's acted like Kip, so that's a plus, and also they talked and made it work.
But after all the drama and how Kip acted, it was pretty easy after all for Scott to come out. Which wouldn't bother me too much - stories don't always have to be realistic - except I was already pissed and annoyed by this story and Scott being so sweet to Kip when frankly, Kip didn't deserve it.
Also, an aside, the writing wasn't the best. It wasn't bad, but it had problems. My biggest pet peeve throughout was the straight dialogue we'd get so many times, without any qualifiers, emotions, etc. Like I get writing classes say not to use qualifiers excessively, I get that, but also having big chunks of dialogue throughout with anything around it just loses a lot of the emotions between the characters, because we can't always get the inflections or meanings behind what they're saying. I think that contributed to what made it so boring at first - I wasn't getting much of anything from the characters.
Also, Kip and Scott didn't have great chemistry, I wondered why they were interested in each other beyond the physical when we didn't get much of anything else besides sex, and when they did do things beside sex it was almost sugary sweet without the payoff of getting to that sugary sweetness. They said "I love you" way too soon and I didn't buy it.
There were also so many conversations and so on that could have either been cut down or cut out. This was way too long and I would get to 28,29,30 percent and felt like I read 50 pages in that span. It was draggginnng until it wasn't, but then it was pissing me off.
Kip and Scott was a little bit promising at first...but then they bored me. And then Kip pissed me off. There were a few lines that made me laugh and as I said, it at least got less boring, so I'm giving this .5 up from 1 star. But that's all I'm giving to this. I considered giving it two stars, but then I just couldn't, with how little I liked and how much I disliked.
And I'm bummed too, because the sneak peek for the next book actually interested me and those guys actually had chemistry....but I read this and while there was chemistry, it was already quite dragged out and I just knew I would probably be skipping parts in that one as well.
This author was not a good match for me, I'm afraid. I rarely dislike books this much, but this one got to me, I guess.
Do NOT recommend.
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June 22, 2024
|| 2.0 stars ||
Yikesssss. Well, then.. This was unfortunately surprisingly underwhelming. Often times even boring.
I'm going to start this out by saying that I think there was way too much sex in this book. Especially considering how bland said sex was. Like, after a few times... I got it, you know? No need for the million other sex scenes that followed. It just got boring really damn fast. Sorry not sorry.
Same thing could be said about them constantly saying "I love you" to each other. Like..... We KNOWWW, okkk? Now maybe finally say something else to each other that actually shows me that you love each other?? Because that would mean that, you know, you two are actually able to hold a conversation with each other that isn't awkward as all hell? Yea. That'd be great. Thanks.
And okay, okay. I am probably being a bit harsh, because there were a few sweet and cute moments between them. There honestly were. Really. The truth is, though.. I just quite frankly couldn't be bothered with it most of the time.
I think a big part of the reason for that is that I deadass did not even feel like it was the best thing for Kip to be with Scott. So why would I be rooting for them, then? Kip's life was literally miserable because of their relationship, and Scott did not seem to care about that for the longeeeest time. Hell, Scott was not only keeping Kip a secret, he was, at a certain point, also completely emotionally unavailable. Not listening to Kip's problems, not taking his issues seriously. I mean, come onnnn now. Scott was a nice guy and all, and I think he had all the right intentions, but this was not a good relationship for Kip.
And yea, when Scott did decide to come out, I'm not going to lie: It was cute. Damn adorable, even. Not just the actual coming out, but the whole vibe before and after. I liked how Scott's friends reacted, how Kip's friends messaged him, how Scott was truly out and proud. Yup. Cute. Cute. Cute. For sure.
Not enough to save the overall book, though. No. Unfortunately that was still quite the miss for me.
And okay, this might be the most insignificant and ridiculous thing to complain about, but omggg, I could not get over the name KIP. I know that some might think this name is absolutely adorable (*cough* Carter *cough*), but... To me? To me Kip means chicken. No, literally. Kip means CHICKEN in my native language. So every damn sentence, in my head it was like "chicken does this", "chicken does that", "chicken has SEX". And.. Just.. No. No. Not cute. Really not.
Anyway, that little side note aside, I just wasn't a big fan of this book. It had its moments, but overall it was nothing special or noteworthy, often boring, and it never truly gripped me. I wasn't invested and I was kind of hoping the entire time that the book would be over soon. Which is.. Not a good sign. Obviously.
'Game Changers' series:
1. Game Changer - 2.0 stars
2. Heated Rivalry - 5.0 stars
3. Tough Guy - 3.5 stars
4. Common Goal - 2.5 stars
6. The Long Game - 4.0 stars
Yikesssss. Well, then.. This was unfortunately surprisingly underwhelming. Often times even boring.
I'm going to start this out by saying that I think there was way too much sex in this book. Especially considering how bland said sex was. Like, after a few times... I got it, you know? No need for the million other sex scenes that followed. It just got boring really damn fast. Sorry not sorry.
Same thing could be said about them constantly saying "I love you" to each other. Like..... We KNOWWW, okkk? Now maybe finally say something else to each other that actually shows me that you love each other?? Because that would mean that, you know, you two are actually able to hold a conversation with each other that isn't awkward as all hell? Yea. That'd be great. Thanks.
And okay, okay. I am probably being a bit harsh, because there were a few sweet and cute moments between them. There honestly were. Really. The truth is, though.. I just quite frankly couldn't be bothered with it most of the time.
I think a big part of the reason for that is that I deadass did not even feel like it was the best thing for Kip to be with Scott. So why would I be rooting for them, then? Kip's life was literally miserable because of their relationship, and Scott did not seem to care about that for the longeeeest time. Hell, Scott was not only keeping Kip a secret, he was, at a certain point, also completely emotionally unavailable. Not listening to Kip's problems, not taking his issues seriously. I mean, come onnnn now. Scott was a nice guy and all, and I think he had all the right intentions, but this was not a good relationship for Kip.
And yea, when Scott did decide to come out, I'm not going to lie: It was cute. Damn adorable, even. Not just the actual coming out, but the whole vibe before and after. I liked how Scott's friends reacted, how Kip's friends messaged him, how Scott was truly out and proud. Yup. Cute. Cute. Cute. For sure.
Not enough to save the overall book, though. No. Unfortunately that was still quite the miss for me.
And okay, this might be the most insignificant and ridiculous thing to complain about, but omggg, I could not get over the name KIP. I know that some might think this name is absolutely adorable (*cough* Carter *cough*), but... To me? To me Kip means chicken. No, literally. Kip means CHICKEN in my native language. So every damn sentence, in my head it was like "chicken does this", "chicken does that", "chicken has SEX". And.. Just.. No. No. Not cute. Really not.
Anyway, that little side note aside, I just wasn't a big fan of this book. It had its moments, but overall it was nothing special or noteworthy, often boring, and it never truly gripped me. I wasn't invested and I was kind of hoping the entire time that the book would be over soon. Which is.. Not a good sign. Obviously.
'Game Changers' series:
1. Game Changer - 2.0 stars
2. Heated Rivalry - 5.0 stars
3. Tough Guy - 3.5 stars
4. Common Goal - 2.5 stars
6. The Long Game - 4.0 stars
February 3, 2019
If you drank a can of sweetened condensed milk that
might
get you in the neighborhood of how sweet this book is.
It's a sugar plum fairy dressed up as a unicorn handing out rainbows of Skittles.
When Kip and Scott (shipped=Skip) aren't mooning over each other they're punching their tickets to Pound Town. They're there so often that the front desk clerk is all...
It is a little much but I gotta be honest, it's difficult to hate on two dudes who are this into each other. Skip fall hard and fast for each other and Reid really showed how into each other they are. Sure, it's saccharine what with 58 ILY or derivatives thereof, but I believed their desperate need for each other and not just on a physical level.
Maybe it was a little overboard but two people who are that much in love can be rather sickening and I'm ok with that.
The second half took on a bit more of a serious note with them trying to work out the logistics of Scott being closeted NHL superstar while trying to keep Kip and, more importantly, keep Kip happy.
The hockeying was good. I know dick about hockey but Reid added enough team dynamics stuff to keep me happy and there is some on ice time that was charged. Carter was my favorite of his teammates but I was highly amused by Rozanov and his antics. I'm looking forward to getting to know him more in Heated Rivalry.
The ending is a fluff storm of an HEA that was heartwarming to read. It's absolutely not for everyone and clocks in for me at 3.5 stars, but if you're in the mood for some sticky sweet feel good sports romance and you like em extra fluffy...
It's a sugar plum fairy dressed up as a unicorn handing out rainbows of Skittles.
When Kip and Scott (shipped=Skip) aren't mooning over each other they're punching their tickets to Pound Town. They're there so often that the front desk clerk is all...
It is a little much but I gotta be honest, it's difficult to hate on two dudes who are this into each other. Skip fall hard and fast for each other and Reid really showed how into each other they are. Sure, it's saccharine what with 58 ILY or derivatives thereof, but I believed their desperate need for each other and not just on a physical level.
Maybe it was a little overboard but two people who are that much in love can be rather sickening and I'm ok with that.
The second half took on a bit more of a serious note with them trying to work out the logistics of Scott being closeted NHL superstar while trying to keep Kip and, more importantly, keep Kip happy.
The hockeying was good. I know dick about hockey but Reid added enough team dynamics stuff to keep me happy and there is some on ice time that was charged. Carter was my favorite of his teammates but I was highly amused by Rozanov and his antics. I'm looking forward to getting to know him more in Heated Rivalry.
The ending is a fluff storm of an HEA that was heartwarming to read. It's absolutely not for everyone and clocks in for me at 3.5 stars, but if you're in the mood for some sticky sweet feel good sports romance and you like em extra fluffy...
September 7, 2020
4 Stars!
I am a sucker for a sports romance. It doesn't matter the sport. I have no idea what is going on in the hockey world nor have I ever watched a game, but I enjoy reading books with this sport. I am a football fan. I get the lingo and the rules. Any other sport, not so much. Still, I one-click or request these babies right up.
Game Changer was an enjoyable tale about a closeted man who falls for an out and proud man and who struggles with the choice of coming out for the sake of love. Yes, the story has been told. But in every story the struggle and emotional journey is different for every character.
Kip and Scott felt an instant attraction for each other and agreed on a strictly sexual relationship because Scott wasn't able or willing to give more. But the longer they are around each other and the more they get to know each other on a non-sexual level the more they fall for each other. But being in a closeted relationship takes a toll on Kip. He wants to do normal things that couples do. Like date. Leave the condo. Be able to hold his boyfriends hand. He knows he agreed he was fine with how things are. He knows Scott plans to come out eventually. What he fears is that the "eventually" Scott keeps promising him will never come.
Despite these issues, Kip and Scott were really cute together. They had great chemistry and steamed up the pages. I liked that the drama and angst was low and not over the top.
It was a great read and I look forward to this author's future work.
Happy reading dolls! xx
I was given an ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a sucker for a sports romance. It doesn't matter the sport. I have no idea what is going on in the hockey world nor have I ever watched a game, but I enjoy reading books with this sport. I am a football fan. I get the lingo and the rules. Any other sport, not so much. Still, I one-click or request these babies right up.
Game Changer was an enjoyable tale about a closeted man who falls for an out and proud man and who struggles with the choice of coming out for the sake of love. Yes, the story has been told. But in every story the struggle and emotional journey is different for every character.
Kip and Scott felt an instant attraction for each other and agreed on a strictly sexual relationship because Scott wasn't able or willing to give more. But the longer they are around each other and the more they get to know each other on a non-sexual level the more they fall for each other. But being in a closeted relationship takes a toll on Kip. He wants to do normal things that couples do. Like date. Leave the condo. Be able to hold his boyfriends hand. He knows he agreed he was fine with how things are. He knows Scott plans to come out eventually. What he fears is that the "eventually" Scott keeps promising him will never come.
Despite these issues, Kip and Scott were really cute together. They had great chemistry and steamed up the pages. I liked that the drama and angst was low and not over the top.
It was a great read and I look forward to this author's future work.
Happy reading dolls! xx
I was given an ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2018
I was sold the moment I read the blurb for this book. I mean "Hockey players" ... no way I was gonna pass up on this one !!! Everyone knows I love a good "Sports Romance" and hockey is definitely my favorite ;)
Scott Hunter is the captain of the New York Admirals Hockey team. He is also very much in the closet. So much so, that he only hooks up when he's on vacation in countries where they don't recognise him.
A blueberry smoothie (well there was some kale as well) is about to change of all this though ..
One look at Kip Grady, the smoothie barista and he knows he is in trouble. He keeps coming back to get his smoothie fix...After all, it's very important for hockey-players to keep up their routine..especially when they hit a "winning streak" (yeah right) !!
Of course it's not the smoothie Scott is really after, and once this becomes clear, all bets are off.....Yowza !!
Now these two got together pretty damn fast. Not that I am complaining, because they were freaking HOT... but there is a bit of insta-lust/love going on.
At first Kip is over the moon happy. Who wouldn't be, getting in bed with a sexy NHL player on a regular basis. And they get down and dirty a lot !!!
But as time passes, Kip is getting quite frustrated and he's starting to feel like Scott's dirty little secret. Scott is away a lot, and when he isn't, they are always holed up together in his apartment, in fear of being outed. They don't go out together and Kip finds himself more and more alone inside Scott's apartment. It's like stepping back inside the closet.
I myself got annoyed a time or two with Scott, because he kept taking and taking he wasn't willing to give anything in return. Kip was trying to be so patient with him...up until a certain point that is.
No worries though... Scott definitely won my affection back ;) He just needed a bit of a slap in the face, which he got figuratively..
Frustration aside, I really enjoyed this one. I could have done with a bit less steam and a bit more talking though (I can't believe I am actually saying this...)
I recommend this one to anyone looking for a sweet, hot "sports themed" gay romance. I myself will be keeping my eye out for more work by this author....maybe Rozanov's story ???
My reviews are posted on DirtyBooksObsession
This review is posted on Wendy's Wycked Words
May 31, 2022
4,5 stars
I am in the mood for sports romances and this one definitely hit the spot. Scott is a hotshot hockey player, but he's in a bit of a rut. When he goes to a smoothie shop and meets Kip, his game turns around. As a superstitious athlete, he decides to go back. It doesn't hurt that the guy making his smoothies is cute too. They run into each other at a catering event and Scott invites Kip out to eat and one things leads to another...the two soon can't stay away from one another and they had sooo much chemistry. I loved them together. And I loved how much hockey we got! Kip would watch Scott's games and I loved how he supported him. As a huge athlete, though, Scott isn't openly out as gay yet and doesn't want their relationship to go public. The two have to navigate a relationship and decide how they want to really live their lives. I also liked how Kip was in a kind of rut in his life and was trying to figure out what he wanted from his future, with or without Scott. I really enjoyed Scott and Kip's romance and am excited to continue on in this series!
I am in the mood for sports romances and this one definitely hit the spot. Scott is a hotshot hockey player, but he's in a bit of a rut. When he goes to a smoothie shop and meets Kip, his game turns around. As a superstitious athlete, he decides to go back. It doesn't hurt that the guy making his smoothies is cute too. They run into each other at a catering event and Scott invites Kip out to eat and one things leads to another...the two soon can't stay away from one another and they had sooo much chemistry. I loved them together. And I loved how much hockey we got! Kip would watch Scott's games and I loved how he supported him. As a huge athlete, though, Scott isn't openly out as gay yet and doesn't want their relationship to go public. The two have to navigate a relationship and decide how they want to really live their lives. I also liked how Kip was in a kind of rut in his life and was trying to figure out what he wanted from his future, with or without Scott. I really enjoyed Scott and Kip's romance and am excited to continue on in this series!
December 14, 2025
⚠️ for the sake of your sanity and ears, i advise readers to skip the audiobook ⚠️
(you can thank me later)
[2.7] the narrator's fine in a general sense but his voice for Kip, a Brooklyn boy in his mid 20s, was a travesty. i don't know how else to describe it except to say his voice was like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eeyore, Trump and the peasant character from WoW produced a child and that child was half-stoned and trying too hard to go another few notches lower in his already-deep register. not to say that he is because Kip is a good boy, but this interpretation had me thinking his character was a little...slow in the head.
for those who haven't heard the peasant's lines in og warcraft, i leave you with this link: https://youtu.be/PoMhMZZjbGg. for those who have had the misfortune of hearing Kip's voice before, please tell me you can see the connection (okay so i may or may not be slightly exaggerating about the last bit re: the peasant voice but i swear it's there if you listen hard enough 😂).
in terms of the story, it was adorable at the start with their very own superstitious meet-cute and mutual pining, but i'd consider this an instalove story through and through. how fast they fell for each other didn't bother me so much as the sheer page allocation to sexytimes though. i'm sorry but there was just too much bumping uglies and not enough on-page development for me to care and root for these two. the tiptoeing around the topic of hiding their relationship to the world also dragged on long enough for me to lose interest, at least until Scott's grand-ish gesture at the end.
i wish i could say more but brain is still recovering 🤧i'm just going to lie here in wait for my Scribd membership to renew 'cause they keep throttling me for listening to too many audiobooks each month (sorry not sorry heh).
if there's two things you take from my review, please let it be the warning at the top and the ratings below as encouragement to continue with the series because holy smokes does it only go up from here!
ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ
ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ
(you can thank me later)
[2.7] the narrator's fine in a general sense but his voice for Kip, a Brooklyn boy in his mid 20s, was a travesty. i don't know how else to describe it except to say his voice was like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eeyore, Trump and the peasant character from WoW produced a child and that child was half-stoned and trying too hard to go another few notches lower in his already-deep register. not to say that he is because Kip is a good boy, but this interpretation had me thinking his character was a little...slow in the head.
for those who haven't heard the peasant's lines in og warcraft, i leave you with this link: https://youtu.be/PoMhMZZjbGg. for those who have had the misfortune of hearing Kip's voice before, please tell me you can see the connection (okay so i may or may not be slightly exaggerating about the last bit re: the peasant voice but i swear it's there if you listen hard enough 😂).
in terms of the story, it was adorable at the start with their very own superstitious meet-cute and mutual pining, but i'd consider this an instalove story through and through. how fast they fell for each other didn't bother me so much as the sheer page allocation to sexytimes though. i'm sorry but there was just too much bumping uglies and not enough on-page development for me to care and root for these two. the tiptoeing around the topic of hiding their relationship to the world also dragged on long enough for me to lose interest, at least until Scott's grand-ish gesture at the end.
i wish i could say more but brain is still recovering 🤧i'm just going to lie here in wait for my Scribd membership to renew 'cause they keep throttling me for listening to too many audiobooks each month (sorry not sorry heh).
if there's two things you take from my review, please let it be the warning at the top and the ratings below as encouragement to continue with the series because holy smokes does it only go up from here!
ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ
➀ Tough Guy - 4.75⭐
➁ Heated Rivalry - 4.7⭐
➂ The Long Game - 4.6⭐
➃ Role Model - 4.3⭐
➄ Common Goal - 3.2⭐
➅ Game Changer - 2.7⭐
ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ
July 19, 2021
"You are happy," Kip observed.
Scott leaned their foreheads together. "I feel invincible right now."
"Me too. Let's change the fucking world."
turns out im a sports fan! step aside dark edgy men, hot men in sports are my new religion. this book has been sitting on my shelf for like forever because i just can't seem to open myself into reading it. i don't like sports in general. i even tried to fake a knee injury by limping before in highschool so i can skip my grueling sports class. my idiotic self couldn't set the fake story straight: some of my classmates pointed out why i was favoring my 'injured' knee more than the other. back to the story! i loved this from start to finish. it wasn't game changing nor revolutionary. i felt like i have read this kind of storyline for a thousand times already. we have kip, an openly gay guy who works in a smoothie store/shop and on the other hand we got scott, the closeted hot team captain of new york admirals (right?). they met in the said smoothie shop and sparks flew. i swooned. i laughed. i cringed also. i love these two knuckleheads but to me they orchestrated their own doom. when kip said that he was okay being the secret boyfriend? he's a clown. when scott said that kip deserved to be more than his secret boyfriend? he's the other clown. together, they perform in the circus. the things that happened as i go deeper to the story was just expected. lastly, my only complain why i can't give it a 5 was that i needed more drama between these two. i feel like there were several potential scenes that could've make this story a bit heavier but the author didn't go that route. i don't mind for the sweet and romantic moments but i wished it wasn't that smooth sailing, i guess. i don't know im just reaching at this point. highly enjoyed this!
December 2, 2025
If my millionaire boy toy offered to pay off my student debt I would cash that check so fast idgaf
July 4, 2019
Based on friends' reviews, I didn't expect this one to be as good as Heated Rivalry (which I freaking LOVED), but I still wanted to read it, mostly for Ilya cameos. 😁 And I figured it would surely have a little of the strength of HR.
Not so much. I'm not in a review-writing mood but I'll leave it at this: there was no tension between these two whatsoever. It felt like I was reading about two frolicking puppies except when they were having sex, and then it was just slightly older frolicking puppies. Which I know is the weirdest sentence ever but I can't think of a better way to describe it. Well, Cupcake's analogy of sweetened condensed milk is better.
There's zero chance of me missing the next book in this series, but in my humble opinion, this one can be skipped.
Not so much. I'm not in a review-writing mood but I'll leave it at this: there was no tension between these two whatsoever. It felt like I was reading about two frolicking puppies except when they were having sex, and then it was just slightly older frolicking puppies. Which I know is the weirdest sentence ever but I can't think of a better way to describe it. Well, Cupcake's analogy of sweetened condensed milk is better.
There's zero chance of me missing the next book in this series, but in my humble opinion, this one can be skipped.
December 8, 2025
enjoying this series so much but WOW are the audiobooks bad
July 16, 2018
Oooh I loved this one. I totally get what Dani meant though with her comment that there's lots of sex because there definitely is!
However, I didn't find it too overwhelming or that the narrative was missing out on story development because of all the sex. I think it felt believable for me that a closeted ice hockey star would go absolutely nuts once he'd found someone he trusted enough to be himself with and Scott and Kip were smoking hot!
I absolutely adored the meet/cute in this one. Scott comes into the shop where history graduate Kip is working while he tries to find a dream job in a museum and orders a smoothie. Kip has no clue that he's the captain of the city's New York Admirals and a bit of a sports megastar.
I also loved that this pair, in the main, talked a lot. There wasn't really much in the way of miscommunication up until the Admirals made the playoffs and Kip started to feel a bit like a dirty secret as Scott became super busy but couldn't/wouldn't bring him along to any of the club's official events.
The blow out was fairly short and over with a bit of common sense talking by Kip's dad (who was awesome) and from Scott's friends on the team (also awesome!) and I'd like to also give a shout-out here to all the secondary characters, who were fully fleshed out and quite vivid even in their limited page time - especially Kip's best friend Elena and Maria who he worked with at the smoothie bar.
Now I want more from the Admirals because there's that long tall Finnish defender and the somewhat mouthy Russian from the Boston opposition who I think might be open for more adventures!
#ARC kindly provided by the publishers Carina Press via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review
However, I didn't find it too overwhelming or that the narrative was missing out on story development because of all the sex. I think it felt believable for me that a closeted ice hockey star would go absolutely nuts once he'd found someone he trusted enough to be himself with and Scott and Kip were smoking hot!
I absolutely adored the meet/cute in this one. Scott comes into the shop where history graduate Kip is working while he tries to find a dream job in a museum and orders a smoothie. Kip has no clue that he's the captain of the city's New York Admirals and a bit of a sports megastar.
I also loved that this pair, in the main, talked a lot. There wasn't really much in the way of miscommunication up until the Admirals made the playoffs and Kip started to feel a bit like a dirty secret as Scott became super busy but couldn't/wouldn't bring him along to any of the club's official events.
The blow out was fairly short and over with a bit of common sense talking by Kip's dad (who was awesome) and from Scott's friends on the team (also awesome!) and I'd like to also give a shout-out here to all the secondary characters, who were fully fleshed out and quite vivid even in their limited page time - especially Kip's best friend Elena and Maria who he worked with at the smoothie bar.
Now I want more from the Admirals because there's that long tall Finnish defender and the somewhat mouthy Russian from the Boston opposition who I think might be open for more adventures!
#ARC kindly provided by the publishers Carina Press via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review
February 20, 2025
Dearest Jessica,
I hope you found a bag or two because I’m starting your favorite couple’s book right after I post this and will swarm you with messages! OMG, what if I don’t like them? Will you break up with me?!! Never mind, that’s tomorrow’s problem! LOL
I honestly wish I listened to you and skipped this one because it has everything I dislike about hockey romances and this one felt like a chick-lit but with dudes…. Dude-lit? The narrator made me hate it more too😂 even though I liked his narration of the ‘True Lovers’ series well enough.
PROS: I love the barista trope and their meet-cute. Scott was lovely. the MCs were vers which I appreciate. and the coming out was sweet.
CONS: the writing style was bad, it felt long winded. the cliched closeted famous player trope. too much smut. the narrative going back and forth a dozen times in a single chapter. the phone calls and texts were bleh!
In conclusion, I will not judge the rest of the series based on this book because I feel like it was a debut? or just the first of the series, which isn’t always as good as the rest.
Sincerely,
A girl craving a smoothie 🫐
I hope you found a bag or two because I’m starting your favorite couple’s book right after I post this and will swarm you with messages! OMG, what if I don’t like them? Will you break up with me?!! Never mind, that’s tomorrow’s problem! LOL
I honestly wish I listened to you and skipped this one because it has everything I dislike about hockey romances and this one felt like a chick-lit but with dudes…. Dude-lit? The narrator made me hate it more too😂 even though I liked his narration of the ‘True Lovers’ series well enough.
PROS: I love the barista trope and their meet-cute. Scott was lovely. the MCs were vers which I appreciate. and the coming out was sweet.
CONS: the writing style was bad, it felt long winded. the cliched closeted famous player trope. too much smut. the narrative going back and forth a dozen times in a single chapter. the phone calls and texts were bleh!
In conclusion, I will not judge the rest of the series based on this book because I feel like it was a debut? or just the first of the series, which isn’t always as good as the rest.
Sincerely,
A girl craving a smoothie 🫐
July 11, 2018
4.5 Stars!
Loved this one. It was super engaging and addictive to read.
Pretty much ticked all of my boxes:
—sports
—banter
—steam
—low angst
—super sweet and swoon worthy without being cheesy
The ONLY reason I’m rounding down instead of up was .
Great debut from a new author that’s definitely going to be on my radar! Hope this becomes a series!!
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Loved this one. It was super engaging and addictive to read.
Pretty much ticked all of my boxes:
—sports
—banter
—steam
—low angst
—super sweet and swoon worthy without being cheesy
The ONLY reason I’m rounding down instead of up was .
Great debut from a new author that’s definitely going to be on my radar! Hope this becomes a series!!
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Currently reading
December 17, 2025here we goooo
dnf
December 21, 2021DNF @ 22% for now...i gotta throw in the towel when i have not made it past 22% since october lmao. i will return to this one eventually!!
![Profile Image for Megan [Slump City].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1634561405i%2F25103878._UY200_CR50%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 21, 2025
MM Romance
2.5 Stars rounded up ⭐️
This is a totally biased review because I have DNF’d this before not just because the audiobook was like silverware in a blender but also because I found it incredibly boring BUT the tv series Heated Rivalry made me need to see how this really plays out especially after episodes 3&5. Episode 5 is currently breaking the internet. Right now on IMDb it’s has a 10 star rating and is right below breaking bad in best episodes of all time 💗
So like normally I’d rate this low for the instalove bore it was but all I can see are the actors that made me cry happy, joyful tears in a year where everything has been absolute shit. Therefore it gets 3 stars which from me is super generous 😂
———————————
Original review
5/12/24
DNF @ Chapter 5
🎧Included for free with my Audible Subscription
🎵Narrated by Tor Thom🎵 Never listened to him before but I’d give him a whirl again however the voice he did for Kip was awful. 💀
I can’t stand the voice Tor Thom is doing for Kip. It’s so awful I stopped in the middle of the first sex scene 😂 I just don’t think this series is for me since I’m one of the only people alive who didn’t like Heated Rivalry. Normally I wouldn’t log something I could barely get through but this is more a reminder to myself that this series needs to be left alone.
No rating because I don’t think I’m even out of the sample 😂
2.5 Stars rounded up ⭐️
This is a totally biased review because I have DNF’d this before not just because the audiobook was like silverware in a blender but also because I found it incredibly boring BUT the tv series Heated Rivalry made me need to see how this really plays out especially after episodes 3&5. Episode 5 is currently breaking the internet. Right now on IMDb it’s has a 10 star rating and is right below breaking bad in best episodes of all time 💗
So like normally I’d rate this low for the instalove bore it was but all I can see are the actors that made me cry happy, joyful tears in a year where everything has been absolute shit. Therefore it gets 3 stars which from me is super generous 😂
———————————
Original review
5/12/24
DNF @ Chapter 5
🎧Included for free with my Audible Subscription
🎵Narrated by Tor Thom🎵 Never listened to him before but I’d give him a whirl again however the voice he did for Kip was awful. 💀
I can’t stand the voice Tor Thom is doing for Kip. It’s so awful I stopped in the middle of the first sex scene 😂 I just don’t think this series is for me since I’m one of the only people alive who didn’t like Heated Rivalry. Normally I wouldn’t log something I could barely get through but this is more a reminder to myself that this series needs to be left alone.
No rating because I don’t think I’m even out of the sample 😂
Read
November 9, 2024DNF audio 40%- Meet-cute was sweet but then was insta-love, oodles of sex and not much else. The voice for Kip killed me. He is meant to be early 20’s but sounded like the Terminator crossed with Trump. Surely this is more enjoyable in book form.
Read
August 14, 2021dnf @ 25 %
December 10, 2025
Safety info, content warnings and tropes down below.
At least now I know why everyone is rereading this and not relistening. The audiobook is fucking terrible. I don’t know what possessed the narrator to do whatever-the-hell that was with Kip, but it will haunt me.
Anyway. I have never read this series before and I’m not watching the show, but I did however fall down the rabbit hole of episode 3 Instagram edits and kinda fell in love with the cuteness that is Kip and Scott and had to try the book. I wish I read the ebook, but oh well. I thought it was completely okay in the first half but wasn't particularly invested. I did really love it by the second half though, and when things started getting tense and going downhill, I could barely breathe. Shitty narration aside, I did finish the whole thing in one day.
I was so happy they got such a sweet and lovely ending. Could’ve done without the other man drama – or at least would’ve appreciated a different reaction from Kip – but it somehow didn't ruin the whole book for me. When I catch the person who totally lied to me about how that went down tho? 🥊
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Pro hockey player
Closeted MC
Famous/non-famous
Smoothie meet-cute
Hookup to lovers
Instalove
Slow dancing
⚠️ Spice menu ⚠️
Enthusiastically vers
Watching him self-pleasure
Hands-free orgasms
Phone sex
"Cum on me"
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Homophobic slurs
Explicit sexual content
Mention of parent death (past)
Homophobic side characters and comments
Alcohol consumption
Mentions of alcohol abuse/substance abuse (side character)
Mentions of racism
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: Borderline, depending on who you ask. See ‘other person drama’ below.
Other person drama: Kip is friends with someone he has slept with but it’s not a problem. He flirts (pretty innocently) with a bartender at his favorite club throughout the book, a few times after getting in a relationship with Scott. After a big fight with Scott where their future is a bit uncertain – but they’re not broken up – Kip goes to said club and gets drunk. He flirts more with Kyle the bartender (Kyle wants in Kip’s pants and they both know it), and when Kyle offers to follow Kip home, he says yes, although they don't have the same thoughts about what will happen when they get there. Kyle kisses Kip, and Kip freezes at first, then briefly kisses him back (while thinking Kyle is a good kisser). He does break off the kiss, and apologizes to Kyle for leading him on. He never tells Scott about any of it.
Breakup: No, but no contact for a few days.
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Sports romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 25 and 28
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 400
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
At least now I know why everyone is rereading this and not relistening. The audiobook is fucking terrible. I don’t know what possessed the narrator to do whatever-the-hell that was with Kip, but it will haunt me.
Anyway. I have never read this series before and I’m not watching the show, but I did however fall down the rabbit hole of episode 3 Instagram edits and kinda fell in love with the cuteness that is Kip and Scott and had to try the book. I wish I read the ebook, but oh well. I thought it was completely okay in the first half but wasn't particularly invested. I did really love it by the second half though, and when things started getting tense and going downhill, I could barely breathe. Shitty narration aside, I did finish the whole thing in one day.
I was so happy they got such a sweet and lovely ending. Could’ve done without the other man drama – or at least would’ve appreciated a different reaction from Kip – but it somehow didn't ruin the whole book for me. When I catch the person who totally lied to me about how that went down tho? 🥊
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Pro hockey player
Closeted MC
Famous/non-famous
Smoothie meet-cute
Hookup to lovers
Instalove
Slow dancing
⚠️ Spice menu ⚠️
Enthusiastically vers
Watching him self-pleasure
Hands-free orgasms
Phone sex
"Cum on me"
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Homophobic slurs
Explicit sexual content
Mention of parent death (past)
Homophobic side characters and comments
Alcohol consumption
Mentions of alcohol abuse/substance abuse (side character)
Mentions of racism
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: Borderline, depending on who you ask. See ‘other person drama’ below.
Other person drama: Kip is friends with someone he has slept with but it’s not a problem. He flirts (pretty innocently) with a bartender at his favorite club throughout the book, a few times after getting in a relationship with Scott. After a big fight with Scott where their future is a bit uncertain – but they’re not broken up – Kip goes to said club and gets drunk. He flirts more with Kyle the bartender (Kyle wants in Kip’s pants and they both know it), and when Kyle offers to follow Kip home, he says yes, although they don't have the same thoughts about what will happen when they get there. Kyle kisses Kip, and Kip freezes at first, then briefly kisses him back (while thinking Kyle is a good kisser). He does break off the kiss, and apologizes to Kyle for leading him on. He never tells Scott about any of it.
Breakup: No, but no contact for a few days.
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Sports romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 25 and 28
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 400
Happy ending: Yes
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
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