Books, Boots and Bakeries

If you’ve dipped a toe into MM hockey romance, chances are you’ve at least heard of Rachel Reid. She’s a big hitter in this space, and for good reason. Game Changer, the first book in her Game Changers series, set the stage for what would become one of the most beloved hockey romance series out there.

I read Game Changer on a plane, which honestly feels fitting for a book about a pro athlete constantly on the move. While it’s not my favourite in the series, it’s a solid start that did more than enough to keep me invested. Scott Hunter, an NHL superstar, and Kip Grady, a smoothie shop worker, have a sweet, low-angst romance that might not reinvent the wheel but absolutely delivers on the cozy, feel-good vibes. It’s got a bit of a celebrity-meets-normal-guy dynamic, which can be hit or miss for me, but Rachel makes it work with her signature charm.

The plot follows Scott and Kip as they navigate a relationship in the public eye—something Scott has never done before. Scott is deeply closeted, carefully maintaining his image as a hockey star, while Kip is an easygoing, openly gay guy who never expected to fall for someone so high-profile. Their romance starts in the most unassuming of places—Kip’s smoothie shop—but quickly turns into something neither of them can ignore. As their feelings deepen, Scott is forced to reckon with his fears about coming out, while Kip has to decide if he’s willing to be patient as Scott figures things out. The story balances the tension of their different worlds with plenty of tender moments and a satisfying emotional payoff.

Also, a quick note—this series has recently moved away from its old-school abs covers and adopted animated covers instead. And while I know some people love the change, I have to admit, I’m not one of them. As we all know, I’m partial to an old-school abs romance, and I’ll always have a soft spot for those classic covers.

Rachel Reid is a Montreal Canadiens fan, like me, and honestly, you can feel in her love for the sport. In saying that, her passion for hockey shines through in every book. If you haven’t picked up this series yet, consider this your sign to add it to your TBR. It only gets better from here.