✨4.5 Stars✨

The hype I had built up in my head for this was almost too high, but Rachel stepped up the plate. The frantic lust and hijinks of the first book can’t exactly be replicated, but she does a great job of pulling us back into their world.

Ilya Rozanov is one of my favorite characters of all time and I was overjoyed to be back in his head. (Shane is great too!) This book had so much of what I loved about the first one: snarky banter, frenzied steam, amazing chemistry; layered with more even more depth.

“No kissing,” he said sternly. “Not even behind closed doors, okay? Not until we get home.” “Yes, no problem. I barely even like you.”

“I fucking want you,” Shane said. It sounded whiny. “I know.” But instead of doing anything to speed things along, Ilya lightly kissed his forehead, then his right eyebrow, then his cheek.

Shane and Ilya are in the thick of their career-relationship balancing act at this point and it doesn’t come without its hiccups. Especially for Ilya. I felt SO much for him in this story. He loves Shane so much and sacrificed a lot for their relationship; that coupled with his mental struggles pulls at the heartstrings.

“Kiss me”, Ilya wanted to say. Kiss me and hold me in front of all these people. Pull me onstage and do it. I don’t care anymore. Please. I’m dying. “Nothing,” Ilya said, and stepped away. “Nothing.”> 😭

Shane was a bit selfish and oblivious to Ilya’s struggle, but you can tell he loves Ilya like crazy, and he makes things right in the end.

“Shane,” Ilya said again, unable to stop himself. “I choose you, Ilya. I promise I will always, always choose you.” Shane’s eyes began to shimmer.

I’m very pleased with how the relationship progressed in this one, and I’m so depressed to think this is probably that last we’ll get of these amazing characters I’ve adored and cheered so much.

If you’re looking for a funny, sexy, sarcastic duo then definitely reach for this or the first installment if you’ve not read that one!

His long hair fanned out under his head, and his dark eyes danced with joy and desire. His freckles were all bunched up because he was smiling so widely his nose was wrinkled.

*ARC generously provided by the author and publisher in exchange for a honest review.*

This book read like a total fan service and I was here for it!
After finishing Heated Rivalry I wasn’t the only one who demanded to know how this rivals to lovers relationship will progress in the future.
I am so glad Rachel Reid decided to give us what we all screamed for.

This book was 90% Shane and Ilya being cute together and me swooning over them. The other 10% were sex scenes.
No, I’m just kidding (or am I?)!!! (Although there were a LOT! These two are pretty hands on. I personally could have done with fewer, please don’t spear me!)
I loved that this book included zero unnecessary relationship drama, no impending breakups or cheating or whatnot. These two are solid and they didn’t made me doubt them for a second.
They’re both still growing and learning and also growing and learning with and about each other.
I loved to see that!
Ilya is hilarious and I love him and little uptight Shane will always be in my heart.
I loved to see that they actually learn to openly communicate and fight with and for each other.

The main part of this book revolves around the question when and how these two are able to come out and announce their relationship to the public. And the toll the hiding takes on both of them.
In the end it didn’t come exactly as they hoped for and for me it was done a little too late in the book, so that the actual part and the after felt a little too short compared to the rest of the book.

I loved that we got to meet old favourites again, but that they didn’t take up a huge part of the story. This story overlaps hugely with the last book in the series (which is my personal favourite) and I loved to read some scenes again from Ilya POV!

One of my favourite parts of this book was the super realistic portrayal of a person with highly functioning depression and the even more realistic therapy sessions and experience with therapy. I felt deeply connected to this and mirrored my own experiences so much.
It was done so well and in such an empathetic way, you could feel that there was a lot of research and/or own experience put into this.
This doesn’t take up a huge part of the book though and doesn’t take away from the romance story at all. I personally would have loved to read even more about it!

The ending was perfect, even though I could have of course read another 500 pages about these two.
I am sad, but also relieved that we got such a wonderful book to end this series with.
(Although I have to say: Dear Rachel Reid, you’re going to just introduce Luca Haas like that and then don’t give him his own story?! I feel robbed! Little baby queer deserves a nice romance.)

I loved this book so much! It was such a perfect ending for Shane and Ilya, and it made me cry so much. From Ilya going to therapy to take care of his depression, to Shane confronting his eating habits, to the two finally getting to be out and happily together, there's just so much to love about this book. I do think the first half was a bit slow and the constant miscommunication was started to get a little old, but the second half completely made up for it and made me sob on multiple occasions. I just love Shane and Ilya so much and I'm so glad they got their happy ending in The Long Game :')

This was such an anticipated sequel and Rachel Reid rose to every single expectation. This was the miscommunication trope done absolutely correctly. It wasn't miscommunication for the sake of scooting the plot along it was grounded in their character's personalities and insecurities and the stressful situation that they were in keeping their long term relationship a secret. This book was the perfect balance of character growth with the domesticity that we all so craved after book 1. I honestly loved every minute of it. The humor, the growth of each character individually and in their relationship together, as well as the well-developed side characters. Was honestly a perfect sequel.

I loved everything about this sequel. I didn't know I needed more Shane and Ilya in my life until I started reading The Long Game. There is so much love and so much strife, I just want to wrap them up in a big hug. My heart broke for Ilya and his struggle with depression and to seek help. There was so much realness in his thought process of why wasn't he just fixed yet - he did things that make him happy, so why isn't he happy? And poor Shane was flying on top of the world until it all came crashing down. Having read all of the books in the series, I knew some of what was to come because of the timeline, but was still on the edge of my seat with tears in my eyes during the plane scene. And Anya, sweet sweet Anya. I am so glad she made Shane a dog person. I can't wait to see what this series brings next. Trying to figure out who the next couple may be is a fun game to play while reading.

The amount of happiness I experienced from reading this book is simply UN. REAL.

It has quite a simple story, plot-wise - at least that's what other people told me when I attempted to explain to them what this book is about: two rival ice-hockey players are in love and a closet, but they are sad and frustrated and hope they can be public. But Rachel Reid's characterization and delivery elevate this plot into something incredibly real and romantic. Every character has distinct background and personality (that is not caricature). They seem like people you can meet in daily life. Some may be better than others in certain aspects, but it's all very realistic. I think, usually, when authors go the realistic route, they only show the dark, brutal side of it. But this story shows the optimistic and sweet side of realism as well, which I really appreciate and enjoy.

The only unrealistic thing in this book is honestly the love between Shane and Ilya. Because is it really possible that two people can love each other this much? I'm not complaining though. I'm just mostly jealous and happy for my favorite characters. Individually, they are far from perfect, because, like every other character, they are also very complex and realistic. But when they are together, it's like a puzzle piece falling into its right place. There is an overwhelming sense of security that I barely ever feel from any fictional couples. I salute Rachel Reid for accomplishing this amazing feat, while not shying away from all the problems they have.

I'm so glad we get to be with Shane and Ilya again :')

I love this series and the characters within the Game Changers universe, and so appreciated that we got to see so many of them embedded in THE LONG GAME. So excited that these two finally got their HEA. Loved the mental health representation and the fact that Rachel Reid makes me care about sports. HA. (We also stan man-bun Shane, thank you.)

(Very) steamy, funny, and heartwarming!

A thank you to Carina Press and NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

This is a swoony follow-up to Reid's wonderful "Heated Rivalry." Fans of the Game Changers series will have a blast with this one. This book is terrific, but not the best entry point to the series- start with the beginning and then you'll be thrilled to read this one!

Speechless and blown away by this book, Rachel Reid has really outdone herself with this one. Even though we were blessed to get a sequel to Ilya and Shane's story, I can't help but want more LOL. I hope she releases more bonus scenes and we get to see them with kids and living their happily ever after.

After I accidentally stumbled upon Heated Rivalry a few years ago, it quickly became one my favorite comfort books and I find myself going back to it again and again. Even though I love both main characters, Ilya truly holds a special place in my heart and you really get to dive deep into his perspective in the Long Game. Seeing all the hurt, pain, and loneliness he held inside left me an emotional wreck, and my heart ached at how much he had sacrificed to be with Shane. AGH, Shane - I really can't tell sometimes if I want to hug him or hit him (I'm sure Ilya feels the same way), but there's never a single doubt about how much he loves Ilya, and he comes through when it counts.

The yearning and longing is still stronger than ever, as are the snark, banter, and hot, steamy moments (I'm blushing harder than Shane). The dialogue is incredible and I found myself grinning stupidly so many times throughout the book. While there are so many quotes I want to include, I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so this is what I'll leave you with

"I choose you, Ilya. I promise I will always, always choose you."

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC, and to Rachel Reid for writing these incredible characters!

Note: As this book is both a sequel and the finale to a long-running series, there will be spoilers for earlier books in this review.

Rachel Reid’s The Long Game is the final book in her Game Changers series of romances set in the world of professional hockey – and, most importantly, the long and eagerly awaited conclusion of the epic love story between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov begun in the second book, Heated Rivalry.  If you, like me, are a fan, you’re going to need no encouragement from me to rush to buy this one as soon as it’s available, so I suppose what you really want to know is – does The Long Game deliver everything we’ve been waiting for?  I’m pleased to be able to give an unequivocal “yes” in answer; Rachel Reid has done herself, her readers and these two much loved characters proud with a story that brings Shane and Ilya’s romance to a wonderfully romantic and emotionally satisfying conclusion while not shying away from showing that their journey has been far from easy and their HEA is hard won.

Heated Rivalry charted the progression of the relationship between rival hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, whose on-the-ice animosity translated into an explosive sexual attraction off of it.  Over the course of seven years, their relationship slowly morphed from one based on mutual lust and convenience, hooking up whenever they happened to be in the same place at the same time, to one based on deep affection, understanding and love.  At the end of the book, Shane and Ilya have decided to keep their relationship under wraps for the moment; coming out as queer is going to be difficult enough given the homophobia surrounding professional sports, but for two players whose intense rivalry has become legendary to own up to being in a relationship with each other… well, that’s going to need some really careful handling when they decide to go public.  As a way of trying to show that their animosity isn’t quite as strong as the media paints it, they start a mental health charity in memory of – and named after – Ilya’s mother, who suffered from depression and took her own life when Ilya was just twelve, and together, they run summer hockey camps for kids as one method of fundraising.  This at least means they get to spend a bit of time together each summer away from the media spotlight, even if they can’t be open about what they are to each other quite yet.  Also, Ilya decided to move from the top-flight team he was playing for in Boston to the Ottawa Centaurs, the least successful team in the NHL, to be nearer to Shane’s base in Montreal so they’d be able to spend a little time together during the gruelling hockey season.

By the time The Long Game opens, Shane and Ilya have been together for almost ten years (if you count the ‘hook-up’ years) – and Ilya is finding the hiding and secrecy and the loneliness of long periods apart increasingly hard to manage.  He and Shane are as deeply in love and committed to each other as ever, but with Shane at the top of his game and playing for the best team in the league, Ilya is beginning to fear that perhaps they’re going to have to wait another ten years before they can truly begin making a life together.  After all, they’re only twenty-nine, and realistically could be looking at another decade before retirement.  That’s not to say that Shane likes the situation either, and it’s absolutely clear that he loves Ilya with all his heart, but he’s in a very different place, both professionally and personally, and is able to face the prospect of ten more years of sneaking around more easily than Ilya is.  Except of course, they don’t really talk about it much because during the hockey season they get so little time together that neither of them wants to ‘spoil’ those stolen moments by bringing up the huge elephant in the room.

I think it’s fair to say that Ilya Rozanov has probably become the series’ stand-out, most-beloved character, and while Heated Rivalry felt like it was (mostly) ‘Shane’s book’, The Long Game definitely feels like Ilya’s.  He’s larger-than-life, always ready with a snarky comeback and doesn’t much care what others think of him – he’s got a reputation as a bit of an arsehole, although those closest to him know he’s a truly good person underneath it all, that behind the smart mouth and sardonic attitude lies a man with a heart of gold who feels things very deeply.  He’s still the Ilya we know and love, but in this book, we get to see a much softer, more vulnerable side of him that we’ve only briefly glimpsed before, and it tugs at the heartstrings to watch him face up to the fact that he’s not doing so well, realising just how much he’s put into keeping the relationship going and wondering just how much he has left to give. Shane, too, is trying to do his best to balance the personal and the professional, but his fear of losing everything he’s worked so hard for blinds him to the toll the secrets and lies are taking on the man he loves.  In the end, both men will have to face some hard truths and make some serious adjustments if they’re going to make it in the long run.

If you’ve been following the series, then you’ll already know that the timeline of The Long Game overlaps somewhat with that of Role Model, so we get to see Ilya’s reaction to Troy’s arrival and a little of their developing friendship from Ilya’s PoV (and yes, The Plane Incident, too).  I also liked the way Ms. Reid contrasts the two teams – the Montreal Voyagers may be the best team in the league, but when it comes to management styles and interpersonal skills, they’re crap - dictatorial and overbearing -  while at Ottowa, the opposite is true; their manager is a decent guy who treats his players like human beings and fosters a sense of team spirit and camaraderie that, while it may not bring the big wins, nonetheless makes for a much more positive environment.

I don’t want to say much more and risk spoiling the book, so I’ll end by saying that the author does a wonderful job here with relationship and character development while also making sure that Shane and Ilya remain very much ‘them’ - Ilya, cocky yet endearing, Shane adorably modest and just a bit of a stickler - and in presenting the challenges they’re facing in a realistic way.  The Long Game is full of genuine poignancy and emotion - from the deepest love and affection to heartache, and everything in between – charming moments of domesticity, scorching sex scenes, and the humour, good-natured competitiveness and snarky banter we’ve all come to love.  It delivers everything I wanted for Shane and Ilya and more, and is an early contender for my Best of 2022 list.  Thanks, Rachel, for giving these boys the fantastic send-off they so richly deserve.

Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local independent retailer

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On God I will be chasing the high I felt reading this book for the first time for the rest of my life. I find it hard to like books with an already established relationship a lot of the time, but Reid knew exactly what she was doing the whole time. So glad I was able to get approved for an early copy through NetGalley, can’t wait to listen to the whole audiobook like a million times. That ending was like a big warm hug

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the earc in exchange for my honest review.

So, I just read Heated Rivalry maybe two days ago, and I rolled right into The Long Game and I abslutely adore these chracters. Ilya Rozanov has never done a single thing wrong in his life and I will protect him at all costs.

Seriously, I'm so glad Ilya and Shane got a second story. This one was super emotional, still hilarious, and so full of love. I loved reading about these two finding their footing as a couple and in hockey. Any book that discusses positive mental health immediately has my heart, and I love the way Ilya dealt with his depression.

These charcters are flawed and real, and they're so in love and still such asshholes to one another and I'm honestly just obsessed with them. It was a perfect continuation of Shane and Ilya's story and I'm excited to read it again and again.

Five out of five stars, no question.

*While this series is mostly full of books that can be read as stand-alone novels, please know that <b>this book in particular is NOT a stand alone. You do not need to have read all of the previous books in the series to understand what's going on here</b> (I'll admit I still haven't gotten to them all yet), <b>but you MUST have read Book 2: Heated Rivalry.</b>

I should mention, right from the start, that [book:Heated Rivalry|41735449] is one of my all-time favorite books. That means I’ve been dying to get my hands on the sequel since I first heard it was being written. It means I already love the characters and the author’s writing style, but it <i>also</i> means that I have high expectations. Lots of sequels over the years have let me down, but thankfully, this was not one that did; <i>The Long Game</i> had a lot to live up to, but live up to expectations it did, and it did so <i>spectacularly</i>. A good sequel is oftentimes a luxury, but every once in a while, it’s a <i>necessity</i>, too. If you read [book:Him|25686927] by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy, then you know [book:Us|29475332] was more than just a sequel; it was an important part two of Wes and Jamie’s journey, without which their story truly wasn’t complete. This is much the same. <i>The Long Game</i> is required reading for anyone who enjoyed <i>Heated Rivalry</i>, not just because it brings back the characters we know and love, but because it finally brings home the love story <i>Heated Rivalry</i> started.

<b><blockquote><blockquote>"I love J.J., and he's been really supportive of me being gay, but he's not ready to hear about us. Trust me."
"Well, neither was I," Yuna said. "But I got over it."
"J.J. isn't my mom."
"No," Yuna said. "Your <i>mom</i> is the one making dinner at the end of a long day while you sit on your butt and mope. Come help."
"<i>I'm</i> helping," Ilya couldn't resist point out.
"I know you are." Yuna patted his cheek. "That's why you're my favorite son."
Ilya grinned at Shane, who tried to look annoyed but mostly failed because his eyes had gone soft.</b></blockquote></blockquote>

<b>What is this story about?</b> If you've read <i>Heated Rivalry</i> and you've read the description of this book, then you know what this is about. This is Ilya and Shane, trying to make their semi-long-distance, definitely-still-a-secret relationship work, struggling with all of the things you'd expect them to struggle with, plus a few other curveballs they've been tossed over the years.

<b>What does this book do well?</b> Again, if you've read <i>Heated Rivalry</i> or any of Rachel Reid's other books, then you know she has a knack for creating compelling characters; her main characters are unique and draw you in with their authenticity, while her side characters are entertaining and feel equally <i>real</i>, rather that coming across as interchangeable stand-ins. Everyone has their own personality, their own strengths and shortcomings, and their own lives going on in the background. The way Reid writes, it really does feel like we're zooming in on one couple who are only part of a constantly evolving world. The cameos from characters featured in other books in the series fit in well as part of the actual story, without feeling in-your-face the way cameos sometimes feel, and they work well even if you haven't read the books these particular characters feature in.

As always, Reid does a wonderful job of capturing emotion in her writing, and this book in particular brought me on a rollercoaster of different feelings and emotions. It was absolutely beautiful, with just the right mixture of angst balanced out by sincerity and heartwarming moments. There were wonderful callbacks to some of my favorite moments in the prequel, and from start to end, there's just an absolutely perfect consistency in the world-building, the writing style, and the characters themselves. It's truly very, very well done.

Also: we get a mention of an <i>alternate captain</i>. Score! I was nitpicky with <i>Heated Rivalry</i> when the phrase "assistant captain" was used instead, because that's for some reason an incredibly prevalent mistake within the genre, but no such error occurs here! For that matter, it's worth noting that Reid once again does a great job of capturing details about the sport that will make hockey fans very happy, while still writing a story that is very friendly and welcoming to those readers who might not be hockey fans themselves. No real knowledge of the sport is necessary to enjoy this book, but those with knowledge of the sport will find only happy easter eggs to enjoy and no glaring issues to complain about.

<b>What could be better?</b> Not a whole lot. Look, I consider it a sign of a great book when the only complaint I have after finishing it is that I wish there was more to read, and that's true again here. I cannot overstate how much I absolutely adored this book, and part of this is probably just that I could probably read ten books on Ilya and Shane and never for a second get tired of them, but... I have to say that the overall ending of the book felt a bit rushed, and not just because I didn't want to see the book end. There's that, yes, but also: we got glimpses of key important moments in the the guys' lives after everything happened, got to see some of that future we've all spent years hoping to see... but we didn't get to see much of it at all. And yes, again, I'd always be happy to see <i>more more more</i> of these two, I really would, but that's not what I'm talking about here. There wasn't a true epilogue in this book, and while I don't always think epilogues are necessary, it felt like this story could've used one. Unless Rachel is planning to write <i>another</i> installment of Ilya and Shane (and I <i>will not</i> complain if that is the case! ...In fact, where does one sign the petition for that?!), I just think we could've done with a little bit more of a glimpse into the future, here. Between <i>Heated Rivalry</i> and <i>The Long Game</i>, we've been with Ilya and Shane for over a decade now, watching them grow and develop into who they are today, individually and as a couple, yet this book only covered a span of maybe a year and a half. Because we've seen these two change so much over the years, only giving us a glimpse into a couple of months post-climax feels... weirdly abrupt and unsatisfying. It's like, if you've been watching a show for 10 seasons, and in the finale of the last season, the show just wraps up the current plot points and ends it there, rather than giving you the glimpse farther into the future that you'd been expecting. I know the book had to end somewhere, obviously, and it did hit all of the important parts (though I would've liked to have seen more of the moments in between/the build up, too, just to make the pacing feel a bit less rushed overall), but I do think a quick epilogue set a couple of years down the road would've wrapped things up more than the current ending does.

And, somewhat related to that: Rachel Reid promised us that just because Ilya and Shane are in a committed relationship together for this book, that didn’t mean they’d stop being shitheads to each other. She delivered on this promise, and for the most part, I couldn’t have asked for more. As in any relationship, and certainly as we would expect from these two in particular, there are moments when the two misunderstand each other or say insensitive things to one another. For the most part, I think these moments were handled well and eventually resolved, providing a pretty perfect amount of angst and hurt/comfort. That said, there’s one ongoing issue that I’m not sure was ever really satisfactorily resolved. I don’t think this counts as a spoiler since it’s fairly obvious from the description of the book, but there’s a theme throughout this sequel of Shane kind of missing how touch-starved (especially in public) Ilya is, and Ilya not really making it clear to Shane how much of a problem it is for him. The way the book as a whole resolves, maybe this becomes a non-issue, or maybe it’s implied that it’s been handled off-screen, so maybe it didn’t actually <i>need</i> a separate resolution… but it felt like a big, important, <i>looming</i> thing between them that just never actually got acknowledged on-page. Maybe this is just me over-empathizing with Ilya here (and it’s worth noting that Ilya seems satisfied this has been addressed, so I probably shouldn’t be as focused on this as I am), but I would’ve liked to see it either discussed between the two, or at least read something from one of the guys’ perspectives later on that showed it had been mentioned, or that Shane had been thinking about it, etc. Again, by the end of the book, this is likely a non-issue, but I do think the resolution would’ve felt more complete with this specific matter more directly addressed.

But again, those are minor complaints. Truly, this book is an incredible sequel that for the most part lives up to the highest of expectations, and I cannot recommend it enough.

<b>Recommended for</b> any- and everyone who has read <i>Heated Rivalry</i>, for those who enjoy rivalry romances, and for anyone who enjoys a good romance that actually goes beneath the surface and makes you truly <i>feel</i>. For those who care about <b>safety warnings</b>: there <spoiler>is no</spoiler> other woman/man drama, there <spoiler>is no</spoiler> cheating, and there <spoiler>is no on-screen instance of, but there is vague discussion of (by side characters, as a societal issue that needs to be addressed/stopped),</spoiler> sexual assault. This book <spoiler>does</spoiler> have a Happy Ever After ending.

I loved this continuation of Shane and Ilya's story so much. Their competitive but loving relationship always pulled me into the book, and it wasn't any different in this one.
I laughed and I cried while reading this. I was constantly rooting for their relationship to continue to succeed.
I wasn't exactly sure how this would end, but I loved the ending.

I really can't get enough of this series.

I could not be happier that Reid gave us another full length story for Shane and Ilya. I love these two men and the undeniable love they have for each other. I was glad there was a struggle for them to overcome without them breaking up for the sake of shock value. They worked on their relationship in a real and relatable fashion. Reid's writing gets better with every book she puts out and I can't wait to see what's next.

i’ll start off by talking about game changers as a whole. 5 current books, 5 times i put my heart in the palm of rachel reid's hands; 5 times she gently returned my heart, each time slightly warmer, slightly fuller, slightly more full of hope.

and now, once again, i give her my heart.

i’ve only met shane and ilya not too long ago, but i already missed them terribly. each time they were mentioned in other books, i would go faintly feral. so to say hello to them once more, i can breathe easy again. it feels dramatic and yet insufficient to say that i cannot physically contain my love for them - i have been loving them very loudly.

it’s been 10 years since shane hollander & ilya rozanov started seeing each other. 10 years of secret kisses, secret homes, a secret love. to tell the world of their relationship risks impacting shane's hockey career, but ilya is tired of hiding. he wants the closeness, the intimacy. so now, it’s time for them to make a call.

the long game was everything to me. there were scenes that made me cry with my entire body, there was one where i literally put down my e-reader and ran a lap around the house. the love was so overwhelming - their love for each other, and our love for them.

“when will i have you for as long as i want?” was my absolute favorite line from heated rivalry. to me, it truly encompasses the secret relationship, the cost of fame, the sheer pure love for each other that is tearing at the seams and yet they try to keep it contained, even if it hurts each time.

in the long game, this gets taken up a notch. and it was glorious. when i think of going the distance for love, i think of shane and ilya - two people cradling each other’s hearts, protecting it against the loneliness, the harsh culture of toxic masculinity, and making it happen against all odds. how i wondered how they would build a life when constantly on the move, only to realize that home is each other.

with every interaction, every touch, every thought, it’s so clear how much they truly love each other, how well they know each other, the utter charm of how much they make each other smile.

shane and ilya were rivals. rivals-with-benefits. something more. lovers. a love story that spans thirteen years. they were inevitable.

at this point (although i knew it long ago), i would trust rachel reid with my heart.

When I read Shane and Ilja’s rather unconventional love-story in HEATED RIVALRY (one of the best enemies to lovers romances I ever read) I became obsessed with them. They were such interesting individuals – strong, confident and equally successful – and their magnetic connection was something that stole my breath and impossible to forget.

Their love story is EPIC!!!

Not just because of who they are. But because of what they mean to each other.

And now, getting a second book about them is like the icing on the cake.

I can’t tell you how much I, and every fan of theirs out there, is ecstatic about this continuation of their story. After I finished Heated Rivalry I wanted more of them!! NEEDED MORE!!!!! The one book was never enough. And me re-reading it constantly is proof enough.

Shane and Ilja’s story is an epic sports romance about two ice hockey players playing for competing and rivalling NHL teams. Their love spans years of passion, snark and banter, need and sexual tension. My heart goes all crazy when I read their story. Shane and Ilja aren’t perfect, but they are perfect for each other. And THE LONG GAME is proof of that.

From the very beginning they played the long game to perfection. And it actually makes sense. They make sense. Their story is probably one of the most unique sports romances I ever read.

“Shane rested his head on Ilya’s shoulder, breathing him in and trying not to wonder how things would be different if Shane hadn't been unable to control dick that day in the showers. Would Ilya be holding him now, more than a decade later, with a tattoo of a loon on his arm?
“I'm glad you're such a show-off," Shane said.
Ilya patted his back. “I am glad you get hard so easily.”
“Shut up,” Shane said, but smiled into Ilya’s neck, relieved that they were both thinking the same thing.”

So does The Long Game live up to expectations? Hell yes and then some! In fact, it blows right past all of them. This is Shane and Ilya at the height of their cutest, hottest, silliest, dorkiest, and most feels-inducing greatness. But it’s also angsty and heavy and downright emotional.

Shane and Ilya in a committed relationship are absolute perfection in their own inimitable way. They’re nauseatingly in love—you’ll lose count of how many times they say I love you. Their scorching chemistry is unmatched. And their banter will make you laugh, leave you mushy, and have you smiling like a fool. Reading this was like a boost of pure oxytocin.

But let’s get to the heart of the book. Keeping their relationship a secret for over ten years is becoming increasingly burdensome for Ilya and Shane. Shane is more comfortable with the status quo, but the secrecy is eating away at Ilya who longs to be open about their relationship. He also feels alone. He doesn’t have family nearby, nor do any of his friends know about Shane. He’s sacrificed a lot to be with Shane by moving to a losing team and new city. Meanwhile Shane continues to captain the NHL’s best team in his home city; he has the support of loving parents and a couple of friends in the know.

What I loved about The Long Game is that it focuses on Ilya and Shane cementing their relationship despite the incredible odds they face. The pressure and hype about their rivalry is as fierce as ever. They’re still at the top of their game and are determined to stay there. The stress of hiding their relationship has now become unbearable. But even though there are significant imbalances in their relationship, Ilya loves Shane unconditionally. He doesn’t resent Shane’s success and happiness, but he does feel lonely and frustrated. To make matters worse, working together at the foundation created in memory of Ilya’s mother stirs up grief and unresolved trauma in Ilya. It’s heartbreaking to see Ilya go through dark times.

But there is also a lot of love and joy, and honest to God feel good moments throughout the highs and lows. They snatch precious moments together despite their crazy travel schedules. They laugh and tease each other about their polar opposite personalities. Cocky, brash, sexy Ilya is the same insufferably lovable guy. And you won’t believe how much of a teddy bear our big bad Russian hottie is. He’s breathtakingly romantic, but still ribs perfectionist and dorky Shana mercilessly. Their banter will have you melting into a puddle. And uptight Shane learns how to loosen up just a tad bit. I mean this is still Shane after all!

So let’s get to the sexy times. This is definitely Rachel Reid’s hottest book yet. The smut—and there’s a ton of it—is high octane stuff. Every sex scene was fire! And each one felt new and hot and tender and filthy all at once. Folks, please don’t read this in public unless you’re willing to get inconveniently hot and bothered. The sex is at turns kinky, then funny, suddenly sweet, then flips a switch into unadulterated rawness.

“You are in charge, yes? You want a reward? What do you want me to do?”
“Um.” Shane wished he could respond to that sort of question without blushing. Ilya always managed to be perfectly filthy without embarrassment. “Touch yourself.”
Ilya poked his own nose. “Like this?”
Shane looked skyward in frustration. “Why are you like this?”
“Because it is fun.”
“You know what? Fuck this. Take your dick out and get yourself hard while I watch.”

All the secondary characters are fantastic, especially because pretty much all of them are cameos from previous books in the series. Ryan is one of the coaches in Shane’s and Ilya’s hockey camps, so Fabian also pops up. And of course Troy is Ilya’s teammate in Ontario and newly coupled up with Harris. Scot also makes a couple appearances. There are only a handful of new characters.

Heated Rivalry left us with a HFN, but this ends with an epic HEA. I’m not talking about cheesy grand gestures, but the ending is just so quintessentially Shane and Ilya. You’re guaranteed to be left teary-eyed unless you are an absolute scrooge.


I have received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and the publisher, and this is my honest review.

I so enjoyed this sequel to Heated Rivalry, bringing resolution to Shane and Ilya's long-standing relationship. Playing professional hockey is hard enough without having to keep secrets. Will love finally triumph? Highly recommended.

i know a lot of people have been waiting a long time for this book. i am not once of those people. i was miraculously granted an arc of the long game right after nosediving into the game changers world.

i fell fast and hard for these books. and loved the long game.

obviously the crowd favorite is the story of shane and ilya, not just in their first book heated rivalry, but in the glimpses we see of them through the other books.

one of the most fun things in game changers is seeing those familiar names. seeing characters from the previous books, seeing characters whose stories will be next to tell. and how lucky are we to have seen shane and ilya through the books though the eyes of those who don’t know—about the sex and the love and the way these men grow from teenagers in lust to adults in love. but we know. we know what hides behind the snark and the teasing bad the joke, even if our narrators don’t.

and now we get a whole other book with them again.

this departs from the formula of other books in the series and drops us into the established relationship of shane and ilya. admittedly, so did heated rivalry since were dropped into the middle of their rivals with benefits situation in tthe prologue.

but now we start long game with shane and ilya in love. and in hiding. and what that stress after ten long years of keeping a secret can do to them.

i love price of fame vs queerness books, as i mentioned in my heated rivalry review. and i have also talked about how this trope thrives in queer sports fiction.

we see how this price is paid by shane and ilya. in who they allow in, in the sacrifices they do or don’t make for each other. in how they know each other so well, but fail to communicate at times because they cherish every moment they have together that they don’t let themselves dwell on the conflicts that arise. there isn’t enough time.

there was so much care in this book, even if the characters didn’t always show that same care. these feelings all felt so real. they hurt each other, they put themselves through hurt. but there’s healing, too. there’s hope. and so, so much love.

the story of shane and ilya spans a decade, and in the long game we see just what that decade means to them, and what choices they make.