The Long Game

Starred review from February 28, 2022
Reid’s Game Changers series debuts in print with this terrific sixth romance, a sequel to Heated Rivalry. Closeted NHL rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have secretly been in a loving relationship for 10 years. The off-season is all domestic comfort and plenty of hot sex, but the season keeps them apart and the career impact being openly gay and in love would have made it tough for them to come out, especially while competing against each other. Still, hiding is taking its toll on them both. Ilya starts seeing a therapist to deal with his depression and loneliness. Meanwhile, Shane is disturbed by a series of meeting with NHL commissioner Roger Crowell, who objects to players’ liberal activism. Shane and Ilya have plenty of fun on the ice—especially at an All-Star Skills Competition—but things get complicated when they’re outed by a viral video right before they have to face each other in the playoffs. Reid’s characters—including many familiar faces for series fans—are all charming and sexy, and she mixes humor, hockey, and positive messaging with aplomb. This is another success in a fabulous series that will have fans longing for more. Agent: Deidre Knight, Knight Agency.