Another good book from Rachel Reid. Do heed the content warnings going in, because Riley is dealing with a very recent bereavement, and it carries through the entire story. Reid deftly handles a lot of heavy themes such as grief, depression, and addiction. Despite the struggles of the main characters, it's a very soft book. Adam is a man who's really grown and learned from his past mistakes and genuinely wants to do good and be a better person. He's so gentle with Riley and so genuine in his feelings. You can see how much he cares. The same goes for Riley's love for his late father, his family and friends, and his hometown. And we see all those people loving him back and bringing Adam into their circle as well. It's a book about the sadness and love and hope that we all feel.

Will Rachel Reid EVER take an L or is she a dub machine all the way? Because this was another massive win. This book is achingly tender and these two characters are so beautiful. Did I cry? Yes. Multiple times? That’s not your business.

I'm sorry WHAT! Are you telling me that Rachel Reid drove me to tears with her wonderful characters yet AGAIN?! I knew this would be a heavier read, and oh man. It really gave me such a gut punch, but gave me warmth and comfort by the end. I love that this one was so different than her previous books, and it really showed how talented Rachel is.

Not me coming to the review tab to just sob about how lovely this book is. These two!! So much tenderness, so much emotion. VERY LITTLE HOCKEY. And good for you, Rachel! I loved reading a different type of novel from you. You smashed it!

I love Rachel Reid, will pick up and read anything she writes! This novel took me a little longer to get invested in but by the end it felt like another warm hug of her writing

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The Shots You Take is a beautiful, bittersweet second chance romance about two retired hockey stars who are meeting again for the first time in over a decade. I fell in love with these characters and their story. I liked that we get some flashback chapters to clarify the moments that shaped their relationship in the past. I also like reading about mature characters who have grown into knowing what they wanted. I also think Riley's mental health struggles were depicted with a lot of respect and grace. I really like the second chance trope, and I think this one was very well done, showing the slow process of regaining trust and evolving into something more. Rachel Reid's writing and character develop are top notch. I recommend this book for fans of queer romance or sports romance!

Thank you to Harlequin for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own

A great story of redemption and second chances. The characters were well thought about and they made you want to root for them. It also shows how hard life can be where it is a death of a family member or coming to terms with who you are.

If you're looking at this and thinking, "I'm not sure I'm going to be really interested in a hockey romance that takes place after both players have retired," PLEASE BANISH THAT THOUGHT FROM YOUR MIND.

Rachel Reid is a Canadian treasure and this book is incredible. It's an incredibly emotional, moving story about two people who love (and have loved) each other deeply but struggled to express it. There's a fair amount of trauma and mental health struggles, but Rachel Reid handles these issues so delicately.

The Shots You Take is, in a way, a more mature story than some of Reid's previous books. And, if you've read the Game Changers series, keep in mind that this is a standalone that takes place in a fictional universe where none of the events of that series happened. But if you've read that series, you'll notice the same sweetness, chemistry, and rawness in this book

The thing that stayed with me from this book, beyond the incredible love story, is how fantastic Rachel Reid's writing is. She has a talent for conveying deep emotion without resorting to flowery language or gimmick. It's deceptively simple yet, as a reader, you feel the emotion that the characters are feeling because you can imagine yourself in the moment.

Absolutely a five star read. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc. This book made my year.

This book was lovely and romantic and dealt with some intense themes around grief, depression, celebrity status, and outing. The second-chance romance was well-done, and I liked all of the communication in here! A great audiobook too. Very solid 4 stars.

🌈Queer rep: MM main couple, gay male main characters. Secondary MM and FF couples.

My 8yo asked me about The Shots You Take. So I gave a plot summary. Christmas morning (Merry Christmas!) while waiting for their dad to get up, he’s sharing the plot summary with his brother. 😂
8: These two boys are best friends. The one friend loves the other friend. Then that friend meets a girl.
10: 🙄 I bet they fight over the girl.
8: No! The friend marries the girl but then he divorces her bc he realizes he loves his friend!

And that’s the summary. It was beautiful. Rachel Reid cannot write a bad book.

I absolutely love Rachel Reid but this book did not speak to me in the way that her other books have. It’s was a decent book,

Riley and Adam were fine. They were MMCS that were good people but I just missed the connection between them and i wanted to live them so much more than I did .

I'm a sports romance fan, especially for gay romance. It was cute to read how the kids were okay with their dad being gay and the relationships of those around them.

It's nice to have a hockey romance that isn't about college kids! "The Shots You Take" is a sad and super angsty dual-timeline, second-chance romance.

The problem, which entirely overwhelms the story: Adam is a bad friend, an absentee father, and a cheater! Adam doesn't deserve to be happy with Riley after how he treated him. Truly, some good character and plot elements, and the writing is fine, but Adam is terrible.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

I'm not usually a fan of second chance romances, but this book was lovely! What set it apart was the tender authenticity surrounding the relationship between two former NHL players (and best friends) in their forties. Riley is out, while Adam is still quietly grieving the life he never allowed himself to fully live. There are themes of grief, regret, and coming out later in life, all portrayed with a compassionate touch.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I will always say yes to a Rachel Reid book. And this one? Yeah, it blew me out of the water. And while doing so it broke me and put me back together.

There was honestly so much hurt and longing in this book both in the present chapters and in the past. It was enough to break a person, and it did. The story was filled with so much heartbreak, resentment, and much needed mending.

Don’t sleep on this read because it was written for those who need hope after a deep-rooted heartbreak.

This was a nice read. There were many emotional moments as they discussed and worked through multiple difficult topics, which added a lot to the romance. I would have liked to see more of the "why" they loved each other and were going to be a good couple in the long run.

This was a fun read, I really liked the romance within. I also liked the characters individually, which doesn't always happen with romance. I found the setting to be nice as well. Overall I found this to be a good read, nicely paced, and the perfect amount of spice

Rachel Reid is the queen of hockey romances. This one is so good! As someone in their late 30s it's nice to read a romance that wasn't super mature or super young. I have already reread this! Perfection.

The Shots You Take is a masterful exploration of love, loss, and the courage to embrace one's true self. Reid's nuanced portrayal of Riley and Adam's journey offers a refreshing take on the second-chance romance genre, making it a must-read for fans of emotionally resonant love stories.

The Shots You Take is a warm, emotional second-chance romance about two former hockey teammates, Riley and Adam, reconnecting after years apart. There’s a lot of heart and history between them—they were best friends, secretly lovers, and then everything fell apart. Now they’re stuck back in their small hometown, facing the past and figuring out if there’s still something real between them.

This one hits all the good tropes: second chance romance, friends to lovers, forced proximity, and a cozy small-town setting. It’s a slower burn with a lot of emotional depth, perfect if you’re into romances that focus on healing and personal growth. A thoughtful, tender read that still gives you all the feels.