Books, Boots and Bakeries

Some books are good, some books are great, and then there are books like The Long Game—the ones that burrow into your heart and refuse to leave. This is my favourite book in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series, the one I go back to read over and over, because it’s just that perfect.

If Heated Rivalry was a masterclass in tension and angst, The Long Game is the ultimate payoff. Shane and Ilya have been through it all—years of rivalry, sneaky hotel hookups, and the agonising slow burn of figuring out their feelings. And now, finally, we get to see them in a real relationship, navigating the messy, beautiful reality of loving each other.

What makes this book so special is that it doesn’t just give them a happily-ever-after and call it a day. It explores what it means to build a life together when the world isn’t always on your side. Ilya, my favourite snarky disaster, is struggling with his mental health and the pressures of being in the spotlight. Shane, steady and reliable as ever, wants to support him but doesn’t always know how. Their love is deep and undeniable, but love alone isn’t always enough—they have to fight for it, and watching them do that is equal parts heart-wrenching and beautiful.

Rachel Reid writes with so much heart, and it shows in every moment of The Long Game. The tenderness, the longing, the raw vulnerability—it all feels so real. And of course, there’s still plenty of banter, spice, and those little moments that make you want to clutch the book to your chest and sigh.

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of reading this one. It’s everything I could want in a romance—deeply emotional, incredibly satisfying, and full of love that feels earned. If you haven’t read The Long Game yet, do yourself a favour and fix that immediately. This book is everything.