Genre: Romance, LGBTQ+
Published By: Carina Press (2018)
Pages: 366

Back Cover Summary

New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pregame rituals very seriously. When a particular smoothie precedes Scott’s breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic…and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.

Kip Grady knew here was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon – and more. What goes on between them is hot, incredible and frequent…but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.

Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career or the public’s image of what a hockey captain should be. Kip is ready to go all in with Scott – but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?

Review

The first book in Rachel Reid’s M/M romance series is a well written tale of a closeted ice hockey captain and a smoothie-making barista. With engaging characters, a nuanced conflict and a hopeful conclusion, this will leave you smiling long after the last page.

The opening chapters did a good job at introducing the central pair, Scott Hunter and Christopher ‘Kip’ Grady. Just a few chapters in, their individual drives and conflicts are well established. Readers who have felt that they needed to hide their identity from others would relate with Scott’s dilemma. Believing he is compelled to choose between hockey and love, his story is supported by testimonies by LGBTQ+ sportspeople. Personally, I can relate to Kip’s endeavour, the young man with an academic background struggling to make something for himself. LGBTQ+ fiction has a wide span, and some may see Scott and Kip’s struggles as relatively narrow and cliched. I think there is something to be said for conflicts which, on the surface, feel straightforward, but that many can relate to.

“He just couldn’t fall in love. Couldn’t share with his team-mates the stories of dating and marriage and children. He could try to fill that void with everything that made his life exciting and enviable, but that void always remained. Always gnawing away at him.”

Game Changer, Page 64

Thankfully the book diverts from the tedious will-they, won’t-they trope which can span full novels. Instead, the remainder of the first half is dedicated to Scott and Kip’s building relationship, which includes multiple sex scenes. I have and will further praise Reid’s writing in this review. However, the steamy moments are the weakest part of the story. These were well shot and structured in the TV adaptation of Heated Rivalry. But, here the majority are shoehorned into the first half. They also feel copy-and-paste, with the same sexual acts appearing on multiple occasions. The quieter conversations between the pair better conveyed the relationship the pair had. In contrast, the writing style of the sex scenes make them feel disconnected and clinical. They describe what is happening in greater detail than necessary and using terms neither Scott nor Kip would use. These moments could have better reflected what the pair were thinking or feeling. As a result, I found the book’s second half far more compelling, as the conflicts took centre stage and the sex scenes reduced in number.

In contrast, the characters were strongly written throughout. Reid’s characters pop off the pages with humour and sharp dialogue. I really liked the group of friends both Kip and Scott had. Both groups were well defined – I immediately understood the support network each of them had. These complimented the book’s heart-warming and hopeful tone, especially in the closing chapters. At the same time, their inclusion did not make this an overly saccharine read. Elena was a particular favourite of mine, with both the book and TV adaptation pitching her completely right. I think many readers will be envious of Kip for having such a fun and supportive friendship group!

The characters add to something the TV adaptation of Heated Rivalry has been praised for; that it is a representation of ‘Queer Joy’. This label definitely applies to Game Changer. LGBTQ+ relationships in media, whilst containing moments of ecstasy, has a reputation of ending in realistic yet disheartening ways. There are countless examples of LGBTQ+ relationships ending in death or a break-up. Game Changer could be argued as being merely a fantasy. We follow an everyman and are placed in his shoes when a major sports star falls for him. I disagree with this assessment. Yes, the relationship is improbable, but the scenes where Scott and Kip are happily domestic will resonate. As I finished the last page, a beaming smile on my face, the world felt more hopeful than when I had started. I think that is one of the reasons why Reid’s books have appealed to the mass market. In today’s world, with overt and covert threats to the welfare of LGBTQ+ individuals, these books are a haven.

Conclusion

I’m very glad that I purchased my copy of Game Changer. The characters are engaging, the dialogue snappy, the central conflicts nuanced and the conclusion uplifting. This book felt like a beacon of hope, that love will conquer all. Though the TV adaptation is largely based on the second book in this series, I wholeheartedly encourage fans of the show to read Game Changer.

Star Rating: 4/5

+ Well-written characters with snappy dialogue
+ Nuanced and realistic central conflicts
+ A joyous and hopeful conclusion
– Repetitive steamy scenes in first half

Thank you for taking the time to read my review of Game Changer by Rachel Reid. Please find below a link to the novel’s Goodreads page.

Game Changer (Game Changers, #1) by Rachel Reid | Goodreads

Have you read the Game Changers / Heated Rivalry series? What is your favourite book or character arc?
Also, did this book capture that ‘Queer Joy’ for you?

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