CW: grief, all the grief, death of a parent (off page)

Oh my god, is this my new favourite Rachel Reid book??? Seriously, I read the entire thing in just over 24 hours from the time I got the ARC and it was everything. OMG.

I have read every one of Rachel Reid's books, starting with the Game Changers series (which I've read a ridiculous number of times) and the stand alone Time to Shine. And I have to say that I love how her writing has evolved over the course of her career. I think we started to see it in The Long Game, that added level of emotional depth, where it's not just two hot hockey players (or hockey adjacent guys) getting together (obvs the Game Changers books are more than that, but there isn't a ton of emotional depth, imo), but she completely blows it out of the water with The Shots You Take. Seriously, I was near tears several times.

I usually don't like friends to lovers or second chances as tropes, so the fact that this worked so well for me is really saying something. The story is about Riley and Adam, who were teammates, they were rookies together, and then Riley fell in love with Adam, who was straight and through a series of events they end up not speaking to each other for twelve years. Then Riley's dad dies and Adam comes to the funeral to try and make things right.

The first half, at least, of the book is just so very melancholy and drenched in grief, both for the loss of Riley's dad, but also for the friendship that was lost between Riley and Adam. For the first part of the book the timeline jumps between present day and the past when they were playing together and not going to lie, it was tough to read. Riley's unrequited love, Adam treating him poorly; it was rough. But throughout the book Riley and Adam talk, which they didn't do before, and they figure their shit out.

Both men are retired now, so there is very little actual hockey content in the book, other than when they are reminiscing or watching a game on TV. I really loved reading a romance about two 40-somethings. As a 40-something myself, it's so nice to see a story with characters who more or less have their shit figured out, maybe they have kids, maybe they're divorced, but they're still finding love. SO GOOD. It was just really nice to read a story about adults who behave like adults and make decisions like adults.

While this book is very emotional and angsty in a way, there also was very little drama. It's just this lovely, slow burn with two adults making the decisions they think are best for them.

I also appreciated the discussions on mental health and addiction, as well as the ones about homophobia in hockey. And it felt like more of a real discussion about those things, not just *homophobia in hockey sure sucks!*, but actually looking at how that impacts on the players, either having to hide who they are or not even realizing who they are. I just loved it all so much, give me all the books that are calling out homophobia in pro sports and not recognizing mental health struggles in pro sports.

Ugh, THIS BOOK.

Okay, one last thing that I loved, was reading a book set in Nova Scotia, set in current day Nova Scotia, and I may have done a little squee and kicking of feet when Adam was cooking out of the Out of Old Nova Scotia Kitchens cook book, because that is a treasure, if completely dated (there is definitely a copy sitting on my cook book shelf).

Okay, okay, this review is practically an essay, so I'll end here. I loved this book so much and I absolutely cannot wait until it's out in the world for everyone else to love, too.

4.5⭐️
Thank you so much to Harlequin & Netgalley for providing advanced copies of this book! All thoughts and opinion are still my own.

Everything Rachel Reid writes is an absolutely hit. This was much sweeter and more emotional than some of her other books, while still having her quintessential lovable characters.

While this still fits into the hockey romance genre, we're actually following 2 older MCs, both of whom are retired from the NHL. And I love getting to see older main characters.

This also tackles some pretty heavy topics - (unexpected) loss of a parent, emotional regulation disorder, internal (and external) homophobia, etc.

One of our main characters left the NHL after losing his best friend (with occasional benefits) and in the process, himself. Now years later, after the sudden loss of his father, that best friend returns, resurfacing old wounds. Both of them are working through the mistakes they made years ago, what is next after hockey, and how to cope with grief amongst other mental health issues.

This is told in present day with flashback chapters where we get to see the MCs throughout their friendship - from the flirtatious beginning to disastrous end. It's a second chance romance that requires the reader to forgive the love interest for some pretty harmful behavior. But personally, I really loved the groveling journey.

If you've enjoyed Rachel Reid's previous books, I think the characterization and themes are right on par with her previous books. However, if you're not a second chance romance reader, this may be a hard one for you to get on board with.

First thing’s first: thank you Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
I loved The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid! While I am generally not a fan of second chance romance, I will make an exception for this second chance romance DONE RIGHT!
Things I loved:
-Dual timeline done in a way that was not confusing or difficult to follow.
-Older main characters!! These main characters were in their 40’s and LETS HAVE MORE OF THAT!!!
-Well written feelings. The yearning! The fear! The rejection! The longing! It was all so well done.
-Believable hurdles/conflicts.

I really liked this one. I found myself rooting for the characters and feeling their emotions with them. I love when a sports romance isn’t super sports forward to the detriment of the book, too.

4.25⭐️

When LOVE for your best friend is your greatest secret and you work up your nerve to tell him and get rejected -and 10 years go by feelings are entrenched and the ability to open your heart again is almost non-existent. Can you let yourself be hurt again?

Riley retired from hockey, moved back to Nova Scotia and dug himself out of his heartache, finally. He is living a good life in his hometown and things are looking up. Then his father died. He is devastated. His fathers funeral is heavily attended and he is honored that so many care until he runs into Adam. Adam who he loved (and still has feelings for), who is still enjoying hockey stardom, who rejected him, got married, had kids and never spoke to him again. What is he doing here?

Adam insists he help Riley get his fathers business up and running again. But then, he just won't leave. He wants to help him emotionally through his father's loss. Adam seems to be sympathetic. He insists he wants to be there for him. Is he emotionally reaching out? Is he trying to reconcile or just be friends again? More than friends? Why after 10 years?

Join Riley and Adam as they work through their troubled past and as they try to figure out where things go from here.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

This was sweet and mature, and I always like Reid's stories and characters. Second chance, nice small town chraracters. I'll probably read it again

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Rachel pulled my heartstrings so many times in this book that I can’t even remember when it ended. I fell in love with this from the start. I love the idea of best friend romance, it’s honestly one of my favorites, and this is that at its peak. Adam and Riley were such a great duo. I loved how this was set up. The intermixed flashbacks with current day made this hit so much harder.

As someone who was convinced she wasn’t queer, I understood Adam’s motivations. I don’t want to give too much away, but this was so good. I loved their dynamic and the way they came back together. The second chance romance was incredible. I loved the exploration of queerness in different forms and I loved the romance.

I thought the plot was great and that it flowed well. I enjoyed listening to this. The narrator was fantastic and I think it helped me get further lost into the story. It was such a great listen!

I have been reading a lot of fantasy, so having a heartfelt and sweet romance was the absolute perfect read! I highly recommend this one.

This book is so tender and real and everything I wanted and expected from this author. I enjoyed that both characters were in their 40s. I am usually not a fan of second chance romances because I find the reasons for the first "breakup" to be trivial or silly, but that was absolutely not the case here.

I really enjoyed Adam's growth and acceptance. I feel as though his story was a very authentic one and even though he spent most of his life denying his identity and then in the closet, there wasn't a huge focus on any trauma surrounding it.

The grief storyline with Riley was also handled with care. I could very much relate to his story.

Together these two definitely had excellent chemistry and it was nice to see some flashbacks while having the main focus be them in the present.

I highly recommend to any fans of later in life characters and coming outs, second chances, and tender stories with lots of heart!

What’s the hockey version of knocking it out of the park? Because that’s what Rachel Reid has done in this unbelievably tender second-chance romance that examines grief, finding yourself, and what it means to build the life you want. Fans of Reid's previous works will find so much to love here and new readers will leave wanting to read more by her.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for providing me with this audio arc. I found the story to be thoroughly enjoyable. Adam and Riley were charming characters, and I had no trouble rooting for them from the very beginning. Although half of the book consists of flashbacks to their hockey days, it blends seamlessly into the main storyline and doesn't disrupt the narrative. The narration was excellent and conveyed the emotions of the story wonderfully. I highly recommend this book to fans of hockey and queer romance.

Rachel Reid returns to the inner world of the closeted hockey player and the pain they both experience and cause to the ones they are afraid to love in the light of day. There is a slower build up to the spice that Reid is known for in her books, which is fitting when the heartbreak has gone on so long for the two MMCs, as well as the acute grief that Riley is enduring with the loss of a loved parent. Overall I did want these wounded men to find their happily ever after, but I don't know that I agree that Adam has really done the work to admit, apologize, and atone for all the wrongs he did to lose Riley in the first place. Here for the second chance, and for the very real snarky teenagers, but this book doesn't capture my heart the way The Long Game, and specifically Ilya Rosanov, always will.

A cookie-cutter contemporary M/M romance, The Shots You Take delivers exactly what it set up to accomplish—there's a comfort in picking up novels already knowing the character archetypes and the general beats of its plot, and I was in the mood for such a 'turning-my-brain-off' experience.

My main gripe lies in the discrepancy between characters' behavior and their age. I was initially quite excited about this story featuring two heroes in their late 30s/early 40s (as I'm also in that age range), but other than sprinkling in more matured descriptions (salt and pepper hair, can't take alcohol like used to, etc.), the dialog and demeanor is depicted no differently from characters in their 20s. It's a little hard to pinpoint the specific, but some scenes and interactions just feel too corny and juvenile. (Can a grown man really get THAT giddy about a farmers market like he has never seen one in his 40 years of life... He's from the city, not another planet!)

I have listened to romances narrated by Greg Boudreaux before, and he always delivers a top-notch performance. To put it plainly, The Shots You Take feels more like a 'Greg Boudreaux listening experience', rather than a novel by Rachel Reid, as I can't really highlight an obvious element (from writing style, character, setting, etc.) that distinguish itself from other M/M hokey romances in the market. It is a easy read/listen that offers just enough chemistry and steam, but nothing more.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. There were times I was just staring into space intensely listening to these MCs trying to get their second chance. I was very much team Riley The vulnerability displayed by both MCs was chefs kiss good.

Thank you to @netgalley and @harlequin_audio for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid: A Mature, Emotional Second Chance

Rachel Reid's "The Shots You Take" transcends typical sports romance by masterfully blending her signature humor with poignant themes of grief, mental health, and mature love. This compelling second-chance story, featuring former hockey teammates Adam and Riley, resonates deeply with its emotional depth and nuanced character development.

After a decade apart, Adam's unexpected return for Riley's father's funeral reignites their long-dormant connection. The narrative explores the complexities of second chances as Adam, now a divorced father, navigates his newly out identity and post-hockey life, while Riley grapples with grief and the resurgence of feelings for his former heartbreak.

While less overtly steamy, the palpable tension between Adam and Riley fuels the story, which shines in its exploration of mature characters in their 40s. Reid tackles vital issues like male friendship, societal pressures on LGBTQIA+ athletes, and mental health struggles, including addiction and depression.

The book's emotional core is powerful, delivering realistic portrayals of grief and the delicate process of reconciling past mistakes. Flashbacks provide valuable context, enriching the emotional connection. Reid deftly exposes the darker side of professional hockey and its impact on mental well-being.

Greg Bourdeaux's exceptional audiobook narration, with distinct accents and tones, enhances the emotional impact, making "The Shots You Take" a highly recommended read for those seeking a story of healing, forgiveness, and enduring love.

5 stars

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I love everything Rachel Reid writes! Her hockey boys always get me in my feels and make me fall in love with their stories! I loved this one!

As an MM romance that deals with grief and second chance romance, this was a good example. I didnt feel the hockey elements of the romance seemed to matter and I wish there was a bit more spice, however I understand why it was not included more. This is more of a character driven love story where two men come back together after a friends with benefits relationship over a decade ago. I thought it handled the sensitivity of coming out later in life with care and I want to give these characters a hug. 3.5 stars.

Loved this story. Second chance romance that checks all the boxes of a good romance. Adam and Riley's story has the push/pull yearning that kept me listening well passed bed time. Just loved everything about this.

While this was an easy listen, I did not love the audio. I did not necessarily feel like the narrators voices matched the characters. Either way, it was a pleasant listen - just not my favorite. As for the story/plot, I was not expecting it to feel so heavy. There are themes of grief, second chances, development and growth, and big life changes in your 40s. It is a much more grown up novel than Rachel's other books. Also - the hockey was very much not a part of the plot. It's a slow burn with lots of character development for the first 75% of the book. At that point, the heat kicks into gear. If you are looking for a story that focuses on overcoming past trauma, loss of a parent, and discovering where you belong in the world, this will be enjoyable for you. Another theme that is not often found in romance books and is contained in this story (without being beaten to death) is an MMC who was married to a woman, had kids, got divorced, and then came into himself as either gay or bisexual (not clear). I liked Riley a lot. He reminded me of a less chaotic Casey (Time to Shine). Rachel's golden retriever men are the best.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!

Greg Bordeaux did a fantastic job of bringing Riley and Adam's romance to life! I love a good second chance romance slow burn romance, and this definitely fit the bill. I will say the only reason this isn't a 5 star listen is because the relationship pacing a just a hair TOO slow for my liking, but overall was such a great listen!

People kept saying this book was good, but no one told me I’d be sobbing by chapter 2!

Rachel Reid does it again with this beautiful emotional and poignant second chance romance. The main characters are deep and complicated, the side characters are rich, even the setting of the small Nova Scotia town adds to the wonderful experience of reading this book!

I was so moved by the depths of self exploration, forgiveness, and allowing oneself to be loved!