I only read this for a sample of THE LONG GAME - and it was wonderful to revisit the world of Shane and Ilya.

The preview of The Long Game definitely suggested that there's going to be a lot to enjoy about this follow-up to Heated Rivalry : good writing, a lot of chemistry between Shane and Ilya, and just generally... Ilya's delightful personality and one-liners. That said, I am hesitant about how much of the plot, emotions, and internal monologue are focused on the fear of coming out. I know that readers' mileage varies on being closeted as a plot element, but I would really like to see more of Shane and Ilya's relationship that isn't exclusively about that? Of course, this is only the first three chapters, so that may come in the full book.

Season's Change did not particularly grab me: the author seemed to be walking a line early on between mystery and vagueness about Olly and Benji's backgrounds, and fell on the wrong side of the line for me. I had trouble grasping on to who they were, and the only thing that seemed to differentiate their narration was the profanity that Benji used (which I don't mind at all! But shouldn't be a substitute for distinctive prose). I can't say that this sample piqued my interest in the full book.

Give me all the LGBT hockey romance books! Reids is highly anticipated and this is the perfect taste! Nary is not someone I am familiar with but after this sample I can't wait to read the whole book! I just reviewed Hockey Romance - SAMPLER by Rachel Reid, Cait Nary. #HockeyRomancesSAMPLER #NetGalley

I like the look of both these books from what I read! I appreciate that the first has a long lasting pre-established relationship, and as such, the conflict is coming from a different place than in many romances. And I think the second book could be a great story on recovery from trauma. I definitely wouldn't mind reading the full versions of either book.

Sublime & Sinfully Sexy, Ilya and Shane Forever
All the praise and accolades. Best romance this year, in many years. Oh my god! The heated between these men is catastrophic 🖤 and the familiar quirks and sweetness, this book is a love letter to MM romance lovers. Why can’t all romances be this freaking good?

Thank the goddesses of writing that this book is so many pages and so rich and delicious. I savored every word and could read thousands of pages of Shane and Ilya.

What I loved: every flocking thing! Everything. But mostly, these brilliant deep soulful characters loving each other and figuring out how to have careers and each other. What a wonderful universe full of great characters familiar faces and everything we need in romance.

More more more more more

A fabulous sampler of two wonderful books.

I am extremely excited about Rachel Reid's release and have already pre-ordered the book. The three chapter teaser has me on my toes and I can't wait to read the continuation for Ilya and Shane.
I adore sports romance novels and eagerly await more.

There is no book being released this year that I'm more excited for than The Long Game. Rachel Reid's follow-up to Heated Rivalry will bring us back into the lives of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov as they seek their Happily Ever After.
This teaser gives us the first three chapters, which as expected, are fantastic.
I'm beyond excited to finally read the full book. These characters have embedded themselves into my heart, and I know I'll often revisit them in the future.
Cait Nary's Season's Change brings us a MM hockey romance, with a grumpy/sunshine pairing that is sure to be right up the street of sports romance lovers. I liked the sample so much that I bought the book!
All I need to do now is wait for The Long Game to release! Can't wait!!

Super strong start for each of these novels. It got me so excited for the long game coming out in a few days, and introduced me to a new story that I am also excited to read.

As a fan of hockey romance, I am looking forward to both books!!!!!
The Long Game is a must-read for me as the long-awaited sequel of one of my favorite books, Heated Rivalry.
From what i have read, both stories hold the promise to engaging characters and plots.
First time reading something from Cait Nary and I can not wait to read the whole thing!

I received an advanced copy of this sampler book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. Rachel Reid has a good writing style. I absolutely adored Shane and Ilya's characters. It keeps your attention from the first page. I absolutely loved Ryan and Fabian's characters. (Game Changer). This book is well written and the characters are described well. I adored Benjie and Krista's characters. I enjoyed this hockey romance. Cait Nary did good writing this book. I adored this book. I would recommend reading these books to anyone and everyone. (Season's Change) These books are fast paced sports romance books.

OH MY GOD, only 3 chapters and I already know it's going to be one of my best reads of the year! i love ilya and shane so much...i'm so excited to read the whole book

This was a great sampler of two amazing books.

Since reading this sample, i’ve gone on to read Season’s Change and LOVED it. Cannot wait for the next in the series.

Also very excited for the release of The Long Game. The teaser has piqued my interest and I am so intrigued about how their story will play out.

I absolutely adored Heated Rivalry, so I was excited to preview the beginning chapters of The Long Game, and I can't wait to read the rest! I am excited to explore a new chapter of Ilya and Shane's **finally** established relationship. You can clearly feel the tension in this relationship just from the first 3 chapters. The jealousy conflict in chapter 2 seemed a little rushed into and out of context. The excerpt (and, it appears, the story arc) is heavily focused on the couple and their relationship's secrecy but after ten years I would personally expect that the two would've had it figured out. I'm not sure that I'm ready to read a secret lovers story between these two, but I nevertheless look forward to completing the book. And - I thoroughly enjoyed the writing, and especially Ilya's quips and sass throughout.

I'm excited to read Season's Change in its entirety, because the preview was enough to get me hooked! The writing is a little more frank and straightforward than I am used to - stilted at times, but the story is set up wonderfully in the first few chapters. This seems like a heavier storyline, which I am always eager to discover.

I can't wait for The Long Game. I read Ilya and Shane's story a few months ago and was SO excited to see that a sequel was coming. Their story is emotional, angsty, and steamy which are some of my favorite things about a romance read. I really wanted to know what happened next with their story and I'm so excited to read more about this couple.

I never get tired of hockey romance…. Maybe it’s the Canadian in me

Both the “Long Game” and “Season’s Change” teasers exceeded my expectations. In just a short three chapters both excerpts were able to capture my attention and leave me ready to devour the books. Ilya from “the long game” by Rachel Reid is already a favourite of mine and I can’t wait to see more of him! I also cannot wait to learn more about Olly’s and Benji‘s individual pasts and how their relationship progresses throughout the book.

I would recommend these books from the sample alone to anyone who enjoys a good sports romance. To anyone concerned about it not being in first person (I too was apprehensive as I greatly favour that perspective), fear not! I didn’t find the perspective hinder the storytelling in anyway and the dual pov third person allowed us to get a good glimpse into the minds of both the MCs of the books.

The Long Game by Rachel Reid
Argh! Just loved the sampler for Shane and Ilya's story. I really enjoyed Heated Rivalry where we first met these two and can not wait to see where their story leads.

Season's Change by Cait Nary

Great introduction to Olly and Benji in this opposite attracts mm hockey romance. Looking forward to the rest of both of these books.

I read this for the Rachel Reid sequel to Heated Rivalry, but I will check out the others too. I had to know how Ilya and Shane were doing since their previous book, and so far, this teaser has not disappointed!! I am counting the days to find out more.
What excites me most, beyond the romance, is Ilyas hilarious sense of humour, he always makes me laugh.

This was a sampler so its difficult to give a comprehensive review. I will only be reviewing full books in the future.

This sampler was so much fun and I cannot wait to read more of these two books. I do hope that there is a bit more spice later on in the books, though! I loved getting to read a few chapters from each of the books to get a taste for these new-to-me authors. Both excerpts I read were really well written and engaging. The characters felt so genuine and real. I particularly loved Olly and Benji in Season's Change. I really feel for Olly with his anxiety and introverted behavior. Can't wait to read more!

I really liked this sampler and I just love hockey romances! I am excited to have some books to check out now!