Oh my GOD!! I wanted to start off by saying thank you to Rachel Reid for the preview of Time to Shine! I consider myself a hockey romance FANATIC and when I saw this pop up on NetGalley I knew I had to apply and read this book!! 🏒 🥅

This book feels revolutionary to me. It’s the first LGBTQ+ hockey romance book I’ve ever read and I’m so looking forward to when it’s published and I can buy myself a copy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these two characters.

Casey and Landon are two of the cutest characters! It feels like a slow burn romance is brewing. Casey is energetic, outspoken, and a fun loving person, and Landon is quiet, keeps to himself and shy around his new teammates.

The writing of this book flowed so perfectly I didn’t even realize that I was at the end of chapter 6 until I looked at my Kindle app. It makes me so excited to read the rest of this book because within the 6 chapters that I’ve read, it’s off to an amazing start.

I can’t wait to see what the rest of this book holds, thanks so much again Rachel Reid!

Disclaimer: having only read chapters 1-6, my rating is subject to change based on the rest of the book once it's released. I am a sucker for a hockey romance, although I found this book a little hard to follow based on the frequent use of hockey terminology that I don't know. Nothing a quick Google search didn't fix though! I absolutely love the dual POV style of writing and the main characters! I will 100% want to read the entire book at it's release date!

This is my first anything ARC. I don't want to give this a 5 star review to be a suck up, but damn, they got me.
I only got the 6 chapter ARC, I only got the 6 chapter ARC, but Rachel Reid has done it again. Complex men who feel deeply are her wheelhouse and it's really good so far. I can see that I'm gonna shed some tears over these boys and their backstories. Cannot wait for publishing day.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an eARC sample of the first six chapters of this amazing hockey romance! All opinions are my own.

Introvert meets extrovert when Landon Stackhouse gets called in as a backup goalie for the Calgary NHL team and comes into frequent contact with their newest young star, Casey Hicks. Landon suffers from social anxiety, while Casey feels the need to be around people at all times - hiding his own problems with being alone. We follow these two in alternating perspectives and I love them both already!

I read on the author's website that this New adult romance takes place in a bit of an alternate world where homophobia within hockey basically does not exist. So this book is low stakes in that way and can focus on presenting a sweet gay romance.

I really enjoyed the sample chapters - from the high quality writing to the wonderful characters and the romance we can see coming. More now, please!

I was given a preview of the first six chapters of Rachel Reid's upcoming book, 'Time to Shine'. Moreover, I would like to highlight the fact that this was my first book by which I was introduced to this author; therefore, I had not read any previous books before jumping on this one. This review shall be based on the first six chapters provided to me; therefore, I cannot provide a full review of the whole book.

The description of this book really caught my curiosity, and I decided to give it a try because I felt so captivated by the plot, the protagonist Landon, and another character we are introduced to later on, Casey. The story is about Landon Stackhouse, a backup goalie who gets a call to be part of the Calgary hockey team. Throughout the book, Rachel Reid explores themes such as encountering new people and forming connections with them, integrating oneself, and gradually being able to step outside of one's familiar comfort zone.

When I started reading the book, I was immediately drawn to Landon's character. I could notice similar things between him and me in Chapter 1. Though, when it came to Casey, I found it a bit challenging to connect with him in the first few chapters. It could be said that both of these characters have contrasting personalities. As I continued reading more chapters, it was clearly evident that more of their traits were being flushed out. Although the characters are in opposition to one another, it may be noted that they are deeply related in some aspects.

It would have been clearer if the character's name had been mentioned before a chapter began to ensure that the reader knew whose POV (point of view) it was from. I occasionally had a hard time telling between Casey and Landon's POVs in some chapters. This book is a slow burn, as in the preview chapters provided to me, it starts to slowly show between Casey and Landon.

I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5, rounding it to 4 stars. Thank you, NetGalley, Rachel Reid, and Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin), for providing me with the first six chapters of Time to Shine for review consideration. All opinions are my own in this review.

Was able to read the first few chapters of Time to Shine, a hockey romance for the holidays. Loved the main characters and can't wait until pub day for this one

This was engaging from the start. I'm loving the characters, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the book.

I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peak of the first six chapters through Net Galley. I've read a few of Reid's other hockey romances and really enjoyed them. One thing I noticed about this one (or at least the portion I've read so far), is that it is focused on a different team/area (Calgary) than we've seen in her other volumes, so I don't know if we'll see cameos and interweaving story lines like in the first six books. I've really enjoyed this aspect of her writing in the past, so if she's staring a new storyline with different characters, I'm excited to get to know the new cast. Of course, all the teams play each other, so it's possible we might run into familiar characters at some point. The cover is a different style as well, making me wonder if this is the beginning of an entirely new series separate from Game Changers or maybe and EU story. I think it works either way.

I do really like both of the main characters and feel like they have good chemistry together. Casey is a legacy player. He is very high energy, so much so that he often annoys other people, and this comes through on the page very well. Landon has been on the farm team for quite some time and has been called to fill in for an injured player, so while he is there at the moment, his time there is uncertain. He has a very beaten-down, low energy about him, so it's a bit of the sunshine/grump kind of set up. They both have things they're going through that neither is ready to talk about, and I'm looking forward to getting to read the rest of the book to see what those might be and how they resolve them.

The preview was pretty decent. It kept me interested enough to want a full copy of the book to see what happens. I felt like the living situation with Casey & Landon could turn out quite interesting. Overall great preview of the book. I see serval reviews on Goodreads say it’s a romance so I wish I could have gotten some of that in the preview.

I am itching for the rest of this book. I love how adorable Casey is, and how awkward Landon is, and I am really curious to know how his sister died (at least I'm assuming it's his sister), and why Casey is afraid of the dark.
The characters are done really well and you can really relate to them through the first few chapters. The only thing I'm not a huge fan of is the fact that it sort of changes POV but there isn't any labeling of who's POV we are in until you start reading the paragraph.

This would be my first 2SLGBTGQIA+ book and I am not disappointed.

I’ve read enough Rachel Reid books at this point to know it’s gonna be a good time when she writes about hockey. This preview starts off great giving us just a teaser of the two MCs personalities. Landon while not a grump is a quiet person and Casey is a golden retriever. I’m already in love and can’t wait to read the full book.

I was only given the first 6 chapters to read, I am a huge Rachel Reid fan and I think part of it is that not only do her books bring spice, she builds really really good back story and character relationships and a whole world. I think this book from the 6 chapters i was able to see will be more of the same excellent writing

I just read the preview for Time to Shine, and I’m hooked!

I only read the first six chapters so i cannot give a full review. All I can say is that I really did enjoy what I have read so far.

I love that the book has a dual POV, we get to follow the story from Landon and Casey’s perspectives. I’m really interested in learning about their past, and see how their relationship develops.

Casey is my favorite character, he’s so sweet and endearing. It’s sad that he puts himself down and has let other make him feel like he’s not smart. I really want to learn more about him, he’s an absolute sweetheart.

I’m looking forward to reading this book and cannot wait until is released.

"Time to Shine" by Rachel Reid is a hockey romance novel that follows the story of Landon Stackhouse, a backup goalie who gets called up to the Calgary team. The book explores themes of finding one's place, connecting with others, and rediscovering love.

The contrasting personalities of Landon, a quiet loner, and Casey, a charismatic and laid-back superstar winger, seem to create an intriguing dynamic. I love grumpy/sun shine trope. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores for sharing this heartwarming arc doc with me in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks Netgalley and Carina Adores for this preview!
I have to say Rachel did an amazing job making both Casey and Landon very compelling characters. In just six chapters I was heavily invested in both of them individually. I cant wait to read the full book, definitely going on my pre-order list!
It seemed that both Landon and Casey were putting on a mask to face the world and I'm interested to see how their story will develop. I also really enjoyed the dialogue.
I have read a few of Rachel's Game Changer series and this one seems more like an introspective story in the veins of The Long Game than some of the others, definitely a favourite!

I read and reviewed the full book.


I think we will always see one of Reid’s books, especially any hockey book, compared to the Game Changers series. Especially the books that were about Shane and Ilya. I was not one of those who was thinking of them when I started this book. I don’t think anyone should be held up to any certain book they’ve written even though I am very guilty of doing that at times with some authors. This book is totally different than the Game Changers books and you should read this with a completely open mind.

I really enjoyed this story, Reid is such a great writer who pulls you into a book and she creates these characters who are so real and relatable. Landon is a very flawed character who has suffered a loss that I also have suffered, the loss of a sister. This aspect did not bring up any bad memories for me because it is written in a way that shows you that life goes on but the people who are left behind to grieve are changed forever and have to find a way to move on and accept that they can be happy. I loved the relationship between Landon and his parents and when they finally open up to each other it was beautiful.

Casey was a very energetic character. I actually thought he’d be annoying at first but he’s so sweet and real and I loved him. He is very privileged so he goes about certain aspects of his life thinking everyone lives the way he has. He has a fear of the dark though, something I am sure so many can relate to. He loves people and doesn’t want to be alone. He is immediately drawn to Landon, who is quiet and very solitary. Casey has no qualms about inviting Landon to live with him while Landon is playing on the Calgary Outlaws team as a backup goalie. I was surprised that Landon, who was so uptight and such a grump, was charmed by Casey. They just meshed well and a friendship bloomed easily.

There is not much romance in this book and it’s not as steamy as previous RR books but there is no need for that. Landon doesn’t even know if he’s a sexual person while Casey is very sexual. It just doesn’t seem like these two should be a match but they build each other up and support each other. The physical side of their relationship fits them. It’s not discussed much and I sort of wish it was because Landon had zero ideas about himself. It didn’t need to be discussed in detail and Casey never made him feel different or strange and that was one more thing I loved about Casey.

I do think Landon wanted to give up way too easily when it came to continuing their relationship and he just wouldn’t take Casey seriously, which is exactly what he thought others did to Casey and he hated that. Casey deserved more and Landon should have given more to him. That was my biggest gripe with the book. Casey gave and gave but I think Landon needed to give some more too.

Even though this has a Christmas part in it I wouldn’t consider this a holiday book. I would have loved to have seen more interactions between Casey and his sister Brooke. Family plays a key role in this and Casey’s was there but the focus was more on Landon’s family.

I really loved the hockey playing moments, I think Reid writes those so well! The teammates are fun and supportive and one thing that stood out to me was no one cared one bit that Casey was bi-sexual or that he and Landon got together. They were so supportive and encouraging and that is exactly how I wish the real world worked.

I am always excited to read a book by Rachel Reid and this was so lovely. Please don’t compare it to Shane and Ilya. Reread their books if you’re looking for that. These characters stand out on their own and Reid writes them exceptionally well.

**ARC received via NetGalley and Carina Press
**All thoughts and opinions are my own

Loved this preview! I can already tell both MCs are gonna hurt my heart in the best way, they both are so sweet. I will say that just with the first 6 chapters I didn't really much of a chemistry/connection between them like I felt interested in them individually but don't really feel any desire to root for them to be with each other, there's not spark or anything. Even if it's a slow burn I think it has to start with at least a little spark to get the burn going. But I really feel the potential as I'm already invested in the two of them.

Thank you so much Netgalley for allowing me to read this incredible preview of a book I am even MORE excited about now after reading this!!!

Hockey romance will always be my book trope of choice and this little sampler had me begging to have the chance to read more of it!!!

Everything is being set up so well and I just can’t wait to be able to read the entirety of this story because I just KNOW it will sweep me off my feet in the absolute best way possible!!!

This preview for Rachel Reid's forthcoming book, Time to Shine, includes six chapters--enough for me to be fully invested in the characters. Landon, an AHL goalie has been called up to his NHL team as the backup goalie which means he could be there for a few days or months. Landon's quiet and introverted...and still struggling with the loss of his sister a few years earlier. Casey is a star forward on the team--chatty and friendly--who offers Landon a place to stay while he's in Calgary. Casey's also a social butterfly always meeting "new friends" (read: hookups) but never slowing down long enough to make deeper connections either as friends or lovers. Casey's also has a deep, dark secret which he's kept hidden from everyone, but is going to be hard to hide from Landon.

Talk about opposites! I hope Casey can pull Landon out of his isolation while Landon helps ground Casey with a staunch friendship. I'm very much looking forward to the release!

This being a preview of the book I was only able to read the first 6 chapters of the book. It had a strong beginning building the characters so that you knew some of their personalities. I will defiantly be ordering this book so that I can finish it when it comes out.