I think that I only recently found this series because the universe knew that I would implode if I had to wait more than a few weeks for the sequel to Ilya and Shane. THESE TWO! I started with Heated Rivalry (book #2 for the series and the first Ilya-Shane book) when I discovered the series. And here I am three days later with 3 of the 5 currently published books under my belt. The side characters introduced in every book have me immediately moving to a new one as soon as I finish and they all make up a really lovely ensemble cast. I read the first couple of chapters of The Long Game (thank you NetGalley!!) so I will be back to update this once I have gotten my hands on the entire thing.

There are people who love a slow burn, but my favorite thing in a book is getting to see the characters get through whatever is holding them back and then getting to read about how their relationship functions afterward. We got a little bit of that in the first book so I was squealing as soon as I started reading about Shane and Ilya a couple of years into the future and existing comfortably within each other's orbits. Ilya is in Canada, they're out to some friends, life is good.

Shane seems to be stung tight as ever but I think this really shines through so far as the understandable stress of their situation and what the consequences of a wrong move could mean for this relationship that he's held close for 10 years. Immediately though, I really got the feeling that this is an Ilya story. Our favorite trash-talking Russian got a bit of backstory in Heated Rivalry but we immediately see the immense value that he's placed on his life with Shane over all else: moving to a pretty janky team in a somewhat boring town, seemingly being more comfortable with the idea of coming out, and the exhaustion has set in from 10 years of hiding. I think the Russian political aspect and Ilya's own familial situation are going to shed an interesting light on how people from different cultures view things like stability and safety in regards to coming out. You can understand why a rich Russian man, who seemingly doesn't have any close biological relations and no reason to return to Russia, would become frustrated with hiding his identity for so long in a country like the United States and Canada. Especially after getting close to Shane's parents and experiencing their level of unwavering support. I think it's a lot easier to scoff at some rude comments that might be thrown at you if the alternative threat you've always faced has been a political threat from the Russian state.

I will say that these first few chapters were a bit high angst and Shane was...a bit edgy and sometimes insensitive. But, again, I got the vibe that this comes with the territory of books where the plot revolves heavily around the characters being closeted and facing high-stakes consequences if they slip up. I have so much faith in Reid and in the characters of Ilya and Shane so I can't wait to see the rest of their story. It's surely been a long time coming for them!

AHHH I cannot wait until Long Game comes out!!! The preview has me so excited and I know Shane and Ilya's story is one that will stay with me for a long time.

ILYA AND SHANE!!!
I am not exaggerating when I say The long game is one of my most anticipated books this year, and this preview did not disappoint. You should definitely go read Heated Rivalry now if you haven’t already.

I have actually already read Season’s change, and the book was amazing! I am looking forward to see what else this author has in store for us.

I was mainly interested in the Rachel Reid in this sample, and that book did set up one of my most anticipated books amazingly. I need more of that book and can not wait. The Cait Nary was also a nice surprise and I will looking out for it when it comes out.

I’m excited to read the long game and this sampler was amazing i can’t wait to fully read the whole book and you can already tell where the book is headed so thank you

These samples made me very excited to continue reading the books. Of course, being samples, they were only the first few chapters! Both books start off well and made me want more. Can't wait!

As with most teasers, it just wasn’t enough. I’ll stand by waiting for the full release. The writing was well structured and I enjoyed the forbidden love component; however the homophobia of the NHL is quite prominent.

Loves this sample! Can’t wait for more of Ilya and Shane’s relationship! Watching them grow and develop is truly beautiful.

I received this, very excited about The Long Game. Seasons Change was a pleasant surprise.

The Long Game promises tension. There's so much going on with Ilya and Shane. They are together, but it's a massive secret. They have a lot of love and attraction to each other, but the tension threatens their relationship from the jump. I'm eager to see how this will pan out throughout.

Season Change is very intriguing. The first chapters establish the characters first. There's not a lot of romance in the first few chapters, but there's a deep bond. This is promising a slow-burn. I'm excited to see if my suspicions are correct.

I have been waiting for this sample and it didn’t disappoint. I loved seeing cameos from previous characters and the relationship between Shane and Ilya mature. I can’t wait for the novel.

This sampler was a great tease and has me dying to read the whole book. Rachel Reid starts the first chapter about two years after the first book. It is great to see the foundation Ilya and Shane have created. I can’t wait to read the whole book!

Reviewing an ARC containing a preview of Rachel Reid's The Long Game and Cait Nary's Season's Change from NetGalley (thank you!)
Note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted in whole or in part without explicit consent from the author.

The Long Game—5 stars!
Reid's an excellent storyteller, alternating gracefully between the two primary characters' perspectives and moving the story forward with just the right pacing and tension. Ilya and Shane's relationship (which started in a prior book in the series) is full of love, joy, and generosity for each other. They're faced with challenges, since they're not out yet, and this book will explore the experience of bringing their relationship into a more public lightt. I can't wait to read the rest.

Season's Change—3 stars
Nary's writing and storytelling doesn't feel as effortless as Reid's, so it took a few chapters before I felt engaged with the story and characters. The roommate trope is appealing, and I enjoy characters who break out of social stereotypes (like in these two books, where the main characters are queer hockey players).

The Long Game by Rachel Reid
After reading this preview, I can’t wait anymore to have the full book in my hands. I have to say Shane and Ilya is one of my favourites couples. I’ve read Heated Rivalry so many times that I can’t give a clear count. There will always be for me a before and after Game Changers books.

Season’s Change by Cait Nary
I have actually read the whole book and it’s a good hockey romance. It’s kind of a mix of serious topics and lightness. I will be happy to read the next books of this series.

I received the Hockey Romance- Sampler through NetGalley. This sampler includes the first three chapters of The Long Game by Rachel Reid and Season's Change by Cait Nary.

The Long Game is the sequel to Heated Rivalry where we meet professional hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. I cannot get enough of Shane and Ilya. I simply cannot wait for the rest of the book based on what I read. I was smiling all through while reading the first three pages of The Long Game yesterday. 10 years is a lot to keep a relationship a secret, they deserve their happiest ending and I cannot wait to be a part of their journey. Their banter and teasing are so cute.

As for Seasons change, I didn’t know anything about this book beforehand. Olly is interesting and seems to be keeping a personal secret that’s torturing him( I’m a sucker for such heros) and could potentially destroy his career. The start is a bit slow but the characters are introduced extremely well.

Loved everything about this! I have been waiting for Reid to give us this book. I can't wait for the full length! Cait Nary is a new to me author but I definitely enjoyed her hockey world.!

MM is not my usual cup of tea, but I really did enjoy this title. I love the hockey romance world, and felt like this author handled it with care, injected romance and a little sweetness, and I enjoyed reading.

Love love love I need it to be April 26th right now. I just cannot wait for more Ilya and Shane they are one of my all time favorite couples.

The Long Game by Rachel Reid: I've been anxiously awaiting this book since the scary plane ride in Role Model, the previous book in series, when Ilya frantically messaged Shane thinking he might die! The Long Game is, beautifully, not quite what I expected. What spoke deeply to me as a reader was Ilya recognizing his own depression even as he and Shane become engaged and plan a wedding. It's just...both. There's great joy in his life and great lowness, and they don't cancel each other out, they just co-exist. And of course he seeks therapy and considers other interventions and does all the appropriate self-work. I'm a woman married to man, I'm NOT a once-in-a-lifetime hockey talent, I'm not estranged from my living family — the particular constellations of power and privilege are very different for me and Ilya. But I did receive life-reconfiguring mental health diagnoses when I was engaged, after years and years and years of dating while living in different states. That's still not quite the parallel I mean to draw — some of the external circumstances of Ilya and Shane's relationship are familiar to me, sure, but it's more the way Ilya's interiority is depicted, the emotional palette that's so deeply familiar. Anyway, this book will be forever special to me. Aaaaaaand I really want an Ottawa Centaurs hockey sweater, so if someone could make that merch, that'd be great, thanks.
•••
Season's Change by Cait Nary: A slower burn than I expected for a sports but I loved these characters coming into their own. I’ll be returning to this title for comfort re-reading for sure.

Give me all the Hockey goodness!!! I enjoyed this sample, now I need the rest...

I absolutely loved the sample for 'The Long Game'; I've been such a fan of Ilya and Shane since the beginning and I'm so looking forward to seeing how they get from their HFN to their HEA. This little sample is just not enough, I can't wait for more. And Rachel Reid's writing, just gets better and better.

I've not read Cait Nary before (possibly because this is a debut?!)... but I enjoyed the teaser and am looking forward to seeing what happens with Olly and Benji.

I requested this because I am very desperate for The Long Game and was super excited to get a small taste of it. I love it so far! This feels like the two characters I know and love, and the conflicts that will arise were seeded well in these first few chapters. I also loved seeing cameos of other characters from the series! I cannot wait for April 26th!

While I requested this for The Long Game, I also really enjoyed the teaser for Season's Change and I am intrigued to read more! I liked the energy Benji gave (also, he's a fellow QU alum-- go Bobcats!) and Olly's social anxiety was incredibly relatable. I am definitely interested in reading more!