When Landon Stackhouse temporarily leaves his AHL team to go to the NHL as backup goalie, he doesn’t know whether to be happy or crushed for all the bench time he’s about to endure. Being hopeful isn’t in his nature, but Landon knows it’s time to make sure not to pass any possible opportunity. What he isn’t expecting is to have to put his heart also on the line.


Casey hates living alone in a very big house that was ‘a good investment’ but has too many windows to be able to sleep at night. When he discovers that the new backup goalie is living in a hotel, Casey is more than happy to let him crash there. But handsome Landon seems to be already tired of him, always staying in his room and avoiding his gaze. Casey knows he’s a handful, but there is something about Landon’s action that makes him wonder: is there any chance his crush is not so unrequited after all?


Everything started with my obsession for pretty covers; I couldn’t help but click and read the blurb. Something was telling me maybe Rachel Reid could be the one making a sports romance that finally made me feel the warmth and happiness that reading the subgenre used to bring me. Not only was I not disappointed, but this ended my new favorite book by the author.


If you asked me what’s Reid’s biggest strength, I'd say creating a new set of characters for every book she writes. This may sound very logical, but I’m sure you are tired of seeing authors who can only create the same three characters and recycle them in every single book they release. This has its downside: every book she writes seems to have a different kind of reader in mind. What I’m trying to say it’s that you shouldn’t try Time to Shine if you are looking for a copy of Heated Rivalry, because you will be disappointed. I didn’t like Heated Rivalry-it had too much smut too soon for me-, so that may be why I adored how they took their time here. In part it was because Landon’s feelings towards sex, while I don’t think he actually labeled himself, hinted he may be demi.


I have loads of highlights of just me smiling, sighing, crushing and breaking into tiny pieces because I was feeling along with them. Casey was such a sweetheart to follow; he only wanted people around him but he always felt like he was too much. Too loud, too chatty, too energetic. I loved how shy Landon loved being around him especially for that, how he never had the right words yet he always managed to show Casey those thoughts. I also appreciated how the author didn’t create a traumatic experience for Casey’s fear of being alone at night. I was dreading the terrible story so I was extremely glad when it didn’t come!


I won’t say anything about the final problem other than I understood why the characters behaved the way they did. Yes, they were being silly and it was frustrating, but it made sense that Landon’s struggles led him to make those decisions. I was really glad Casey was always ready to save the day, Landon’s POV was breaking my cold heart:


"Tonight his attention kept being drawn to the dance floor, and Landon wished he could be different. He wished he could be fun. He wished he was the one laughing at whatever ridiculous shit Casey was saying.
() He just wanted to be someone who could be happy."


Overall, I really enjoyed my time following Landon and Casey. While the structure wasn’t anything earth-shattering, I had a great time reading this book. I’m so glad that now I can admire the cover while feeling all my heart warm at the memory of them together.


As a side note, there were moments at the beginning where Landon and Casey’s dynamics reminded me a tiny bit of one of my all time favorite couples, Lan Wanji and Wei Wuxian (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation), which definitely made me love them even more. I can’t help it, every time I see a shy/social butterfly dynamic I transform into fangirl-mode:

↬Exhibit A: ‘I love you, Stacks,’ Casey finally said. ‘You are hilarious.’
No one had ever accused Landon of that before.</i>


↬Exhibit B: "‘Hicks thinks dragons are real.’

[an hour of teasing later]

Landon began to walk away, then paused. He took a step toward Casey, then bent so their faces were close and quietly said, ‘Dragon lizards exist.’

It took Casey a moment to realize Landon wasn’t making fun of him. Then another moment to get over the shock of learning that Landon had been listening to the whole dragon conversation while seemingly being focused on destroying the treadmill.
Finally, Casey smiled."


they are so beautiful together *screams in chinese*

I.
Adore.
Landon.

Honestly, I could probably stop there and call it enough. Although it's more than just Landon's story (Casey is the absolute perfection of bi energy), it's Landon's growth as a person that really makes this book shine.

I love a good winter romance, and a sports romance too! Even better, there's no homophobia, the teammates and found family are excellently written, and there's a definite focus on the emotional well-being and growth of the characters.

Laughter, yes.
But also tears.

Everything that makes me love a book.

That was here. Outstanding.

○ "Dragon lizards exist." - Landon
○ "I'm not trying to look hot. I just want to go to dinner without looking ridiculous." - Landon
○ "I mean, everyone knows how I feel about you. Don't worry. I won't even talk to you. Won't look at you. Who are you, even?" - Casey
○ "Christmas hot tub is a journey.' - Casey
○ "You make me sweet and weird. That's on you." - Casey

Amazing hockey romance! Great chemistry between the MCs, lots of lovely moments that make you fall in love with the story and the sport

I had a lot of fun reading this book. As a hockey fan sometimes its hard to separate fiction from the sport but this book had enough accuracy that the hockey in the book felt authentic. Both characters were a delight and had some great dialogue between each other. I look forward to reading this book again around the holidays.

When I first requested a copy of this story, after I did my happy dance when accepted for a review copy, I worried that my expectations might be too high. After all, this author’s Heated Rivalry and The Long Game are two of my top 5 favorites of all time. Rachel Reid, whom I follow on social media, cautioned that the story would be nothing like that spicy hockey series. Nevertheless, I found underlying similarities: both feature hockey players and both gave me a happiness factor of 10 out of 10 points. I am in awe of Ms. Reid’s ability to create such rich characterizations, realistic hockey action, believable situations, and disarming and endearing moments with scenes that took me to the depths of despair and rocketed me to the top of the emotional roller coaster.

Landon and Casey’s story grabbed my attention and held on tight. Casey is one of the most outgoing and personable characters I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Landon is more like me—an Introvert with a capital I. Sadly, he still carries guilt about the death of his sister years before and finds it hard to allow himself to be happy. He’s a sweetheart with a deep inner core of strength and a heart like a sponge that’s just waiting for Casey to come along and fill it with his overflowing personality and zest for life.

Their story is engaging and Casey’s brightness carries Landon through his darkest times. The romantic scenes between them are definitely worth waiting for as Landon is not only a virgin but he’s never really been sexually attracted to anyone before. And, although he’s inexperienced, he makes up for it in his willingness to learn from Casey and reciprocate.

I have so many favorite moments and quotes that there’s no point in even listing them because my most important message of all is: “Please treat yourself to reading this book.” It is definitely the best of 2023, and if you enjoy reading MM romance, you will love Landon’s and Casey’s story!

A final note: in the acknowledgements section the author thanks fellow authors for “writing books that keep setting the bar higher.” In my opinion, Rachel Reid is among the best at moving that bar upward. Please never stop writing, Ms. Reid.

4.8/5
✔️ Attractive queer hockey players 🏳️‍🌈🏒
✔️ Hilarious 😂
✔️ Adorable main characters 😊

Landon, a young hockey player is getting his chance in the major leagues. He has been playing for Saskatoon but an injuried backup goalie means that he gets to play for Calgary. The length of his stay depends on how well he plays and how quickly the other goalie heals.

This book is very characters driven and you can't help but fall in love with quiet, anxious and brilliant Landon. He is just the right amount of sullen. There is a side plot involving Landon's family which is beautiful and heart wrenching.

Landon rooms with Casey who is loud and the life of every party, but with his own set of insecurities. It is definitely a case of opposites attract but from the first few chapters you can't help but root for them to get together.

This book definitely has spicy scenes and they are extra hot. The way the author deals with the communication and boundaries is *chefs kiss*. At one point in the book Casey explains his sister thinks virginity is nonsense and I am 100% here for it, the author doesn't preach to the reader she just quietly writes a sex positive book.

Oh my goodness, this was a delight. I didn't have time to read all of it yesterday/today, and I did anyway, sorry not sorry. Casey is a delight—wait, I said that already. Casey is an effervescent cinnamon roll who seems like he should be too much and absolutely isn't. Landon is... omg, Landon is my heart. They're both so wounded (though Landon's wounds are more visible, Casey has his own), and the way they grow together is *bursts into interpretive dance*. I love that they get support from all sides. (Screw reality; reality is awful.)

I'm stingy with five-star ratings, because I want them to really mean something. I have no reservations about this one, and I'll be recommending this book to all my friends.

My thanks to NetGalley/the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

What a sweet, low-angst, high-steam hockey romance! I am new to the hockey romance trend, and this m/m romance by Rachel Reid was a great first choice. Landon and Casey are both such wonderful men, each special in a different way, but I love in a romance when you feel like the two main characters are both deserving of each other.

I also really appreciated that there was no bigotry in this one. Obviously, I live on planet earth, so I am aware that there are homophobes, but I liked living in an alternate reality where an entire NHL team was just openly supportive of their bisexual and gay teammates.

This book left me with such a smile on my face. It got slightly cheesy in parts (I say as a very cynical person), but I loved it and could have read it in one sitting if I didn't have a job & kids.

Four stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC.

Rachel Reid is my go-to author for m/m hockey romance. Time to Shine is an absolute delight. It's sweet and charming and spicy as hell. Casey has rocketed to the top of my all-time favourite hockey heroes. I can't recommend it enough.

Rachel Reid is my favourite romance writer because she delivers books you can’t wait to get back to. True to form, TIME TO SHINE is a hockey romance to wallow and revel and delight in.

Reid always brings the cute, but this time it feels so, so central. I laughed early and often at Casey and Landon’s adorable, chemistry-laden conversations. Their mutual affection ZINGS, right from the start. While there’re some darker elements too, like raw grief and an intense phobia, the pure joy they take in each other makes this an uplifting, feel-good read.

It’s also much lower heat than Reid’s earlier books. I read Landon as either demi or grey ace (he’s not sure on his labels himself), and while they do have on-page sex, it comes later in the story and plays a relatively small part in their relationship.

Also of note: Christmas happens, so this is technically a holiday romance, but there’s enough other stuff going on that you don’t have to wait until November or December to dive in. You wanna grab this delight of a book as soon as it drops on September 26th.

I LOVED IT SO MUCH, Y’ALL. 4.5 stars.

Fun, flirty, sweet, and very sexy. Landon and Casey are an hilarious grumpy/sunshine pair of hockey players who fall in love while being short term roommates and teammates in the NHL. This book has great banter, lots of sex, and very satisfying ice hockey. Highly recommend

Admittedly, I'm not a hockey romance kinda girl. But I AM a Rachel Reid kinda girl and I am beyond happy I decided to give Time To Shine a chance!

Both main characters, Landon and Casey, are super likable and I found myself pulling for them from page one. First, I wanted them to become friends, and then, as the story progressed, I wanted to see them come together as more.

And I wasn't disappointed!

I might have learned a thing or two about hockey from Time To Shine, but even more importantly, I learned about grief and the role is can take in overtaking our lives, in the importance of friendship, and the passion that can be blossom between two people who seem to be total opposites.

I know very little about hockey and I had fun! It was a sweet romance with a lot of heart. And now I know some more things about hockey.

When Landon is called up from the AHL to fill in for an injured backup goalie in the NHL, it feels like a dream come true. But even though it's all he's ever wanted, he knows it's only a short time until the other goalie returns and he's sent back down--at least there he was a big fish in a small pond. When star winger Casey invites him to stay in a spare room rather than renting, he takes him up on the offer. It's a nice gesture, but what Landon doesn't know is that Casey suffers from a fear of the dark and loneliness only exacerbated in the mansion he's bought. The two opposites--Casey, the effervescent chatterbox, and, Landon, the stoic, silent giant--grow closer as friends and roommates until their mutual attraction bubbles over to a full-blown romance. But Landon's days in the NHL--and Calgary--are numbered...

Rachel Reid is a master of the m/m hockey romance sub-sub-genre. Her Game Changers series was life changing, and I was so excited for this new book outside the series. A holiday romance with an illustrated cover? Sign me up! And I really enjoyed this one. I can't say that either Shane or Landon are my preferred lead types, personality-wise--their extreme talkativeness or lack-there-of would get on my nerves IRL--but Reid is so good at crafting an excellent story with heart and heat that I can't help but love their book forms. So Heated Rivalry will always be where my heart lands, but this is another great book from her worth reading!

Thanks to Harlequin/Carina for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

Rachel Reid does not disappoint! Time to Shine was yet another sweet, tender, slow burn of a romance that had me swooning!

✨ Review ✨ Time to Shine by Rachel Reid

This was one of my most anticipated romances of the year. I'm obsessed with the Game Changers books, and this lived up to my high expectations.

Landon gets called up to the Calgary NHL team as a backup goalie, and finds a quick friend in Casey, the team's young constantly-talking, social butterfly. Casey invites Landon to room with him at his too-big house that makes him feel lonely, and a very sweet grumpy-sunshine friendship emerges.

The book is cozier and more joyful in some ways than the Game Changers books, all of which had some element of closeted players, afraid of being out in the NHL or among their teammates or their families. The characters in this book live without a lot of this pervasive fear and so the book felt a lot lighter and had more of a rom-com feel. This book definitely had more humor than the Game Changers books as well, adding to the cozy vibes.

Christmas / holidays play a role in this book, but not in an overwhelming way. Again, it adds to the cozy feels without making it read like an explicitly holiday book.

Overall, I adored this book. I could have stayed up all night reading it. The characters were so lovable; their families and teammates were so supportive; and I just felt so much happiness reading it. Highly recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: m/m romance
Setting: Calgary and hockey travels
Reminds me of: Game Changers but cozy rom com
Pub Date: Sept 26, 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ queer hockey romances
⭕️ holiday books
⭕️ cozy rom-com vibes

Thanks to Carina Adores, Harlequin, and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!

Thank you Carina Adores and Netgalley for this e-ARC, these opinions are my own. I love a good romance story! Sports ones aren’t my favorite but I usually end up enjoying them and this one was no different! Landon is called up to play in the big leagues for Hockey. He’s struggling with some personal things but his loud and friendly teammate Casey is bound to wear him down. When the two move in together something may just click. Will the two get along? What if they start to feel something more? This one is full of heart, humor, and all the feels! If you like the warm and fuzzies check this one out! 9/26/23

Another heartfelt charming romance from Rachel Reid with absolute marshmellow characters and a light background of Christmas.

At times I felt like the characters were reading very young, almost YA personalities (but still spicy), then I remembered they are supposed to be in their very early 20's and I might be getting old. That being said, the characters are a little younger than most of those in the Game Changer universe, but fans of Reid's GC series will enjoy this story.

Although I am a huge fan of everything Rachel Reid writes this was not for me.
I liked it well enough to finish it and in the last quarter it even got my attention, but all in all it didn't catch me. And I don't know why. I can only guess it was the characters: Casey was too much everything for me (too loud, to chatty, ...) and it took the book forever to reveal where Landon's behavior stems from. I never like it when past trauma is teased all the time and only revealed much later. So, I guess it still might be a good and well written book, but it just didn't click with me.
I learned a lot of new things about hockey, though, which is always really nice in Rachel Reid's books.

Casey and Landon are everything. Landon is more reserved and in gets in his head but he’s there to back up Casey. Casey is loud and friendly but can read people and their needs. My favorite parts are when Landon says he needs space but Casey knows what to say to make Landon laugh and relax a little. They support each other in the right ways. When one has a problem the other doesn’t jump in to fix things but will give advice on how to handle it.

I think what really sets Time to Shine apart from anything else I’ve read is that there’s no “bad guy” all the characters are supportive and non-judgmental. While I know this isn’t realistic it’s still nice.

I received a copy of Time to Shine via NetGalley to read and review.