really good. really sweet. the two guys are both flawed and flawless which is somewhat interesting (tho by the end they both just seem to be Brad Pitt level lol).

a bit spicy in places, tho also oddly reserved when it could have gone further / done more in those moments

and give Lucky his own spin-off, please.

What a great book to start the new year with. There’s just something about a hockey romance, especially when it’s cold and snowy outside.

Riley and Adam were best friends and teammates, until life pulled them apart and they became ex-friends and former teammates.

Now, several years later, Riley is back in his hometown after deciding to cut his career short for the sake of his mental health.

After Riley’s father passes away, Adam is back in town for the service, giving our two men an awkward reunion.

This book does a great job of confronting mental health and how it should be prioritized.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! This was my first Rachel Reid book and it was great! This is a MM hockey romance, BUT the characters are older, retired from hockey, and processing a lot of stuff. I don’t normally like second chance romances and hearing about how sad their “break up” and younger experiences were was challenging, but overall this book worked in a lot of ways. I loved that the main characters are older and reflecting on their life, I loved that the pace of the romance was slow since they were learning to trust each other, I loved how much they talked about mental health and grief, and I loved their love for each other. I think the only reason this does not get 5 stars from me is that the ending felt a little rushed and Adam’s treatment of Riley when they were younger was pretty cringe. But overall this was a great, sweet, thoughtful romance. I recommend this book for fans of Reid, hockey romance (though there is not much hockey in this), and LGBTQ+ romance.

The summary: Second chance romance between two retired hockey players. They used to be roommates (tehe) and teammates, hooked up (for a long time), and then it ended (poorly). The pair reconnect when Riley’s dad passes away and the guy Riley was in love with shows up to the funeral even though the pair haven’t spoken in something like 10 years.

What I liked: This is one of my favorite genres (m/m hockey romance). I love happy endings for two big dudes who are also pro athletes because it is not something we see in real life (and that makes me sad). And I love to see/read about them being the gentlest softest boys while also starting fights at center ice.

This isn’t my first Rachel Reid book, and having said that, it’s definitely in a different vein if, like me, you read Heated Rivalry first (but that’s not a criticism). This one has infinitely more feelings as our two MCs try to work through what destroyed their previous relationship.

Didn’t love: the timeline. This reads a little like a Hallmark film or rom-com in that everything is resolved in less than a week. I understand that there’s a built in time constraint, and never getting over the person who tore your heart into tiny pieces is a dangerous thing, but Riley’s dad just died. That’s a lot of emotions to manage and it made me a little uncomfortable.

Bonuses: I love when I can see inside both character’s heads (so I can yell at each of them for being a dummy). I also loved the way this story unfolded, how it jumped back and forth through time so we could understand how thoroughly in love/destroyed Riley was and how that led to him finding something else to love, without overwhelming us. I also love a redemption arc. Adam had a lot of work to do, in my mind's eye, to prove he was worthy of Riley after everything and, despite the brief window of time, I was satisfied by the effort he put in. I thought that they did a great job of mending old wounds in a healthy way as older and wiser MCs.

The Shots You Take is Rachel Reid at her BEST YET!

This heartwarming and deeply emotional story follows Riley and Shep as they navigate their way back into each other’s lives. A second-chance romance with layers of complexity, The Shots You Take doesn’t shy away from tackling difficult emotions. Grief is a central theme, with Shep’s return to Riley’s life prompted by his father’s passing. These heavy moments are handled with incredible sensitivity and authenticity, creating a narrative that feels deeply personal and relatable. Readers will find themselves connecting to the raw and poignant emotions woven throughout the story.

As a second-chance romance, this book delivers a deliciously slow burn that’s absolutely worth the wait. Riley and Shep’s journey is filled with high-tension moments that simmer and build, keeping readers hooked until the inevitable, deeply satisfying payoff. Along the way, Reid sprinkles in adorable and tender moments that will have you smiling through the tears. It’s a perfect balance of heartache, joy, and anticipation.

What sets this story apart is how much growth these characters undergo. Riley and Shep both have past wounds to heal and lessons to learn before they can truly come together. Their evolution feels genuine and earned, making their eventual reunion all the more impactful. Reid’s signature style of rich character development and emotional depth shines through in every scene.

If you’re a fan of Elle Kennedy, Hannah Grace, or Peyton Corinne, this book is a must-read. Rachel Reid’s ability to combine heartfelt storytelling with moments of levity and steam has never been better. The Shots You Take is undoubtedly one of her finest works yet, and it’s sure to become a favorite for romance lovers everywhere. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable tale!

Let me start by saying that I love this author! I like that she's not afraid to tackle complex aspects of relationships, and explore the ways that messy situations can resolve over time.
This is truly an "enemies to friends to lovers". My one criticism, is that I wish there was a little less back and forth through time, I wish we'd had one or two flashbacks, and then spent most of our time in the present. I get why she used that device, it's just not my favorite.
Still, overall it's fun to watch Reid's stories become even more complex!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes:
MM Romance
Hockey Romance (both are retired)
Ex-Teammates
MC’s in their 40’s
Second Chance Romance
Slow Burn
Spicy

Riley and Adam were best friends, roommates, and teammates in the NHL. They were also secretly lovers - but only when Adam is drunk and horny enough. But now it’s been 12 years since they’ve last spoken. Riley’s father has just passed away, and the last person he ever expected to see just walked into the funeral, Adam.

This was my very first book from Rachel Reid and I’m sorry I’m so late to the party! The Shots You Take was a beautifully written, tender story of two men in their 40’s who unexpectedly get a second chance to be with the love of their life.

Riley is really going through it in this book. He has some diagnosed mental health issues and formerly coped with drinking and sleeping pills. At the start, his father has just passed away and he is working through his grief for the majority of the book. I thought this was portrayed in a very real way. There is mention of Riley being in therapy and he does make a therapy appointment at one point in the book, but I do wish there was a little bit more about this on page. But that is just a personal preference/opinion.

Adam has recently come out to a select few people, divorced his wife, and is ready to make amends with Riley. I am glad that Riley didn’t give in right away to Adam when he showed up. Adam really had to work to get Riley to even talk to him, let alone listen to what he had to say. Let me just say, Adam is a lucky man. If I had been in Riley’s position, I don’t think I could have overlooked the way Adam behaved and things he said for years.

I loved how the story was intermixed with flashbacks from their decades long relationship to really show the growth, struggles, issues, and love between Riley and Adam. The overall pacing of the book was excellent and I don’t feel like there was ever a lag or dip in the flow of the story.

Absolutely loved the epilogue. Was a great way to tie up the story. I will for sure be looking for more books from Rachel Reid.

I was really looking forward to this one but I just didn't like so many things about it. The 12 year gap of talking, the cheating, and the bad apology were the worst part. I don't think Adam deserved Riley, but maybe he did since they hooked up while Adam was married. I just didn't like the miscommunication and the way Adam didn't respect Riley's feelings or really apologize for the pain he caused him. I do think grief was well represented. I DnF around 75%

💓When I got the email a million months ago inviting me to review this arc, I already knew what I wanted my first book of 2025 to be. A Rachel Reid romance is EVERYTHING I want to suffuse myself with on Day 1 of a brand new year, and the way The Shots You Take had me in its clutches from the very first sentence straight through to the very last full stop at the end of the acknowledgements means I got that bit of forecasting right! So props to me for ushering in the new year with victory energy, because this 5 star win was a deeply moving read and I loved all the smushy feelings it wrung out of me!💓

💙RR flashbacks legit burn my soul.... especially when there's so much achy tension in the present day povs. Young Riley and Adam were squeezing my chest and my brain melted from jedi-willing everything to turn out well for them both, even though i knew their HEA was guaranteed! I'm usually not fussed about tropes like second-chance or dead spouse etc, but ooof the way this story hit I can NOW see why second-chance romances take a certain amount of delicate manoeuvring and receptivity for it to work.💙

💗ngl it took me forever to write this review when it usually takes me seconds to blurt my feelings out. But i'm still so very sad for Riley losing his amazing dad...and also for his past heartache and for the harsh ending to his NHL career, all of which I'M still working through. This was fiction but it felt so real and i didn't know what to do with myself when it was done.💗

🩵Sad hockey players/Grieving Nova Scotians is just the most succinct and perfect way to describe everything that unfolded in this romance, and that description comes from Reid herself. There's forgiveness and wooing, Lucky, the most bestest doggo, tons of crying (both myself and Riley), cinnamon buns, a gorgeous garden and interior design that had me boosting my Pinterest manifestation boards!🩵

💞There was true loving after a life of beat downs, because breath in your lungs means it can still be taken away, by both pleasure and pain. I was so proud of Riley and the way he took his power back! And I loved Adam's resolve to win back the only man he ever loved! Theirs was a hard won HEA but it was all worth it in the end!💞

💖This book was triumph and tears, heartbreak and hope, dignity and healing, and i'm just so happy that i got to read -AND LOVE- something this beautiful and with such emotional resonance for my first book of 2025!💖

🏆🏒Rachel Reid remains the queen of my MM Hockey/hockey adjacent romance heart, and as an added bonus, i also love how i always fall more deeply in love with Canada after loving on one of Reid's heartfelt and immersive stories! and honestly who can blame me? North Shore Nova Scotia is simply stunning, and so was this sweet and sincere, small town achy romance I'm sure I'll be feeling for a very long time!🍁

An immense "THANK YOU" to NetGalley and Harlequin-Carina Adores for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I loved this book!

Riley and Adam hooked up regularly when they were best friends and rookies. But, neither being ready to come out or commit, Riley quit hockey and moved to his small Nova Scotia hometown, where he's been for a decade. Adam arrives to attend Riley's father's funeral and decides to stay to try to mend their relationship.

This book was so sweet and lovely. It has the emotional strength of a Cat Sebastian book, plus a hockey background and an extremely strong sense of place in small town Nova Scotia. The characters are lovely and both of their current and past mistakes feel realistic and forgivable. The book is sexy but also tinged with just the perfect amount of sadness. I can't wait for more from Rachel Reid.

I loved the way this fit in to the rest of Reid's books--what if, this one asks, the queer men of the NHL didn't come out during their careers? Adam and Riley's story is about grief and hope and it's delightful, warm, optimistic, and engagin.

This is a heartbreaking story of loss and finding love, the second time around. Riley’s Dad died, and who shows up at the funeral? The man he loved who couldn’t love him back. True limerence level suffering for Riley for close to 20 years. Then out of the blue, Adam comes back into his life with a new perspective and a desire to make things right. Between the second chance romance themes, and the grief of a parent content, this book made me teary multiple times.
And on top of the story that was touching, was the fact that the author, Rachel Reid, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s this year and pushed through all the barriers that it created for her, to give us this beautiful story of gay love. I would read anything she writes and I hope she can continue to give us sad boy hockey romances.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin - Romance for the ARC!

This story was a sweet read. It was a slow-burn second-chance romance between two former best friends and teammates. They fall into each other’s lives again after 12 years apart.

Things I really enjoyed about this novel: their relationship seemed very realistic for two middle aged former hockey players and I can see the hesitation and the suppression of identity in the sport. Both Adam and Riley’s journey seemed realistic and incredibly possible given their circumstances.

I also really enjoyed the fact that they were both middle aged gay men and not two young college hockey players - again, this seems so realistic.

I also love a good novel set in the East Coast of Canada and I could *see Avery River* in my head as someone who has family in the literal North Shore of Nova Scotia!

I enjoyed this novel and I will definitely check out some of her other stories as well.

I like the sports part of sports romances so when I saw this was about retired hockey players I was hesitant, but honestly I didn’t miss it all that much. A sweet story about past love, missed opportunities and Nova Scotia’s picturesque small towns.

This contemporary hockey romance is a warm hug of a book that has vaulted to the top of my comfort read list. The author describes it as sad--which it is, as a major plot thread involves the death of a parent, as well as a missed chance at romance and hurt feelings in the main characters' pasts--but it's a bittersweet, cathartic kind of sad. Reid's style is fast-paced, which works so well for a story in which the characters have a shared history. The reader gets to know them as they become reacquainted with one another. The romantic tension comes from the will they-won't they have it all: they want to, but they have to overcome past hurts in order to move forward. I particularly liked the fact that this book doesn't have a third act breakup, as the major rift between the characters occurs twenty years in the past, via flashbacks. The enjoyment here is watching Adam and Riley fall in love all over again, this time in their forties.

A beautiful second chance romance between two retired hockey players. There was a lot of emotion in this one but it was wonderful to see Riley and Adam grow back together.

~3.5~

This book doesn't sugarcoat anything, especially grief.

Riley is a broken man. He's loved Adam for many years, but Adam used him, mocked him, traded him in, and left him behind.

Then Riley unexpectedly loses his beloved dad - the dad who cheered him on, put up Pride stickers, and was Riley's rock.

Adam shows up for the funeral, and Riley is anything but thrilled.

I'm honestly over reading about closeted athletes who fuck their best guy friend and pretend it was just ... Adrenaline? Alcohol? Entertainment? This isn't 1988. Nearly a third of Gen Z-ers (including my own kids) identify as LGBQT. Despite the religious right's best efforts, "queer" is not a dirty word.

Anyway, after divorcing his wife, Adam desperately wants another shot at love, but Riley is resistant, a he should be. I wanted Riley to be happy, but I kind of hated Adam. He grew on me, but it took a while.

The story dragged somewhat. I adored Lucky the dog, but Adam's kids were entirely absent, which was weird and uncomfortable. They were mentioned but never present.

The whole thing with Adam's ex-wife being his great friend or whatever ... cool, cool, but why the hell did you lie to her for over a decade? And she's like, yay, I'm thrilled for you? Nah. This just rang false.

Hurray for MCs in their 40s, but it would be nice if the illustration actually reflected their age. I am not a fan of that cover. Can we please stop with the cartoonish drawings for adult romance novels? The dudes look like they're 28 max.

Despite the cover, I'll say the writing is solid. Reid has a way of painting raw emotions with words. If you like second-chance novels, this one's a good bet.

I read this entire book in one sitting. This is only my second or third book written by Rachel Reid, but she is quickly becoming a “must-read” author for me. As an avid gay hockey romance reader, I can safely say that she her perfected the art of writing kinda sad, swoon worthy hockey guys. I’ve said it before and it is true again, this is everything I could have wanted in a hockey romance!

Thank you to Carina Press, Harlequin, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A m/m hockey romance that has a slightly unusual set-up: two retired players with a past together, and a second chance romance. This felt like a fresh take on some of the staples of this genre, and sets up a beautiful exploration of grief, regret, mental health, masculinity, late-in-life coming out, and second chances. The simmering chemistry and history between the two leads was excellent. I would have liked to dwell a bit longer on the immediate next-steps of their relationship and the challenges they face together (the book takes place over a very short period), but I do understand why the book had such a narrow focus. Immensely readable, emotional, and satisfying.

A second chance romance with a small town feel. So emotional.

When Adam shows up at Riley's dad's funeral, Riley is not happy to see him. Adam broke his heart ten years ago, after all. But Adam stays around, because he's learned a lot since then and sincerely still cares.

This book begins at Riley's lowest moment, and Adam is just so... respectful. But insistent. There's a balance here that's very well done as these two men who clearly love each other deeply circle and eventually fall back into each other.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.