Book Review: Game Changer

Game Changer by Rachel Reid is the first book in the series that contains Heated Rivalry, the hit show about two hockey players and their secret romance. Like many romance series, each book is about a different couple, so Game Changer is not about the couple in the show. However, I picked it up because of the show's popularity and I needed an easy escape from the news cycle. 

Game Changer is about smoothie store employee Kip who meets hockey hot shot Scott when the later buys a smoothie from him. Though they hit it off, Scott is closeted and they keep their romance private. However, Kip doesn't enjoy being hidden and feels like their income gap is uncomfortably large. When it comes down to choosing his public persona or choosing love, Scott must make a choice that could change hockey forever.

I liked that this story was easy to follow. I was reading it while sleep deprived, often in 30 minute chunks, and usually between 12am and 6am so I really needed cotton candy from a book, and this one delivered. I was able to follow the events on very little sleep.

Now, keep in mind my reading schedule mentioned earlier. I struggled with the POV because it felt like it waffled easily when it was the other's chapter. I will admit maybe that's the sleep deprivation talking. However, something that was not due to my sleep schedule was a lack of setting, description, and internalization that led to large sections feeling like script being delivered to a white room. The opposite problem occurred during the sex scenes, which felt like pages of only description, which my exhausted brain could not focus on.

This book is for you if you binged Heated Rivalry, are seeking gay hockey romance, or like the millionaire boyfriend trope. It's not for you if you want closed door romance, a balance of dialog/description, or if you aren't in the headspace to read about a closeted person struggling with how to come out.


Have you read any books in the Game Changers (aka Heated Rivalry) series? Which one is the one you recommend to others? Let's discuss in the comments!