First published in 2020 by Carina Press, Reid’s third book in the Game Changer series is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, and audiobook. You can also find it at your local library or through the Libby App.

Reid brings readers back into the world of Pro Hockey, this time following hockey star Ryan Price. As an enforcer on the ice, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Off the ice, he struggles with anxiety, including his dislike of fighting and flying, and how his new anxiety medication affects his libido, worsening his body image issues. After being traded to the Toronto Guardians, Ryan is determined to start fresh in the city’s LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects is to run into his first crush, Fabian Salah. They have nothing in common. Fabian resents hockey players, so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he’s with him?

Aspiring musician Fabian feels like a disappointment to his hockey-loving parents, who welcomed teen players like Ryan into their home. At seventeen, Fabian and Ryan shared an almost kiss that Fabian never forgot. Years later, running into Ryan in the Village reignites intense chemistry. Reid weaves Ryan’s vulnerabilities into their intimacy scenes, showing how Fabian’s patience helps Ryan rediscover joy.

Ryan cannot confide in Fabian about his hockey struggles because Fabian wants him to quit, making their dynamic feel one-note and frustrating. Fabian’s refusal to accept Ryan’s career is rigid, cutting off opportunities for meaningful growth. Reid dismisses compromise, forcing Ryan to abandon his career to satisfy Fabian’s demands. This all-or-nothing approach feels punitive and undermines the characters’ complexity. Why must it be this way?

The depiction of hockey life, marked by anxieties, fears, and the emotional toll of constant trading, barely scratches the surface of Ryan’s character. When Fabian appears, the intimate scenes lack variety and quickly become monotonous. There is little meaningful character development, and the lack of compromise between the two leads to a forced, unsatisfying ending. Overall, this is a disappointing 2.5-star read.