Rachel Reid | Game Changers Series- Heated Rivalry

The Books:

Game Changer by Rachel Reid
Published 2018 by Carina Press

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Published 2019 by Carina Press

Tough Guy by Rachel Reid
Published 2020 by Carina Press

Common Goal by Rachel Reid
Published 2020 by Carina Press

Role Model by Rachel Reid
Published 2021 by Carina Press

The Long Game by Rachel Reid
Published 2022 by Carina Press

Torrie’s Overall Series Rating:

* Keep scrolling for book specific ratings & reviews!

The Plot:

Game Changers is a connected series of six mlm hockey romances that follow different players across the NHL as they navigate their identity and relationships alongside the pressures and homophobia of professional sports. Each book focuses on a new couple with distinct personalities and relationship dynamics, while subtle crossovers and cameos weave their stories into one larger universe. The series is kicked off with Game Changer as the events in this book start a domino effect that truly changes the game for all those that come after.

Torrie’s Review for the Game Changers Series

I watched the first two episodes of HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry and immediately knew I needed to read the book series before the next episode was released. It only took me a week to binge all six books in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series… and I was not disappointed. The more I read, the more I was pulled into the entire universe.

This series is a masterclass in how to connect books without making them feel one-note. Across all six books there are subtle references and intertwined character moments to create a complex, heartwarming world that reshapes the game of hockey. Even with those connections, each book still stands completely on its own. The romances aren’t predictable, and they managed to surprise me repeatedly.

I also loved how distinct each couple felt. Every character is unique and every relationship has its own dynamic and emotions, additionally each book plays with different tropes in a way that keeps the series fresh. There truly is something for every romance reader here. I also appreciated the varied approaches to LGBTQ+ identity and coming out, each character’ decisions are guided by different reasons, and those differences feel meaningful and authentic. The romance is also hotter than I expected, with intimate scenes that are both explicit and well-written, adding physical depth to each couple’s connection.

It’s very clear how much Reid’s writing grows throughout the series. By book two, the writing feels sharper, and by book three or four, the writing becomes so smooth and tight that I stopped noticing it altogether. Each book is told in dual POV, which took some time to get used to, but eventually I was able to enjoy it. It means that the books don’t rely on cheap tricks like miscommunications or trying to hide a motivations, which I really appreciated.

The first book is the most underwhelming unfortunately, both the writing style and the foundation of the couple just don’t click, but they are the spark that ignites all the rest of the books, and thus are vital to the overarching plot. Once I finished the series, Book 1 (Game Changer) was the one I wanted to reread most.

The stand outs are Heated Rivalry and The Long Game. Ilya and Shane are impossible not to love. Their relationship could easily drive its own separate series, but what makes their arc so special is how I could feel the years passing through their brief appearances in other books. The small glimpses make the ache of their circumstances even more powerful. Because of that, I highly recommend reading the series in order. The quiet crossovers and mentions are fantastic and make the whole experience richer.

More than anything, I finished each book feeling happy and content. The sixth book felt like the perfect conclusion and really tied up all the lose ends. Though, I won’t lie, I would kill for another book about Ilya and Shane.