I have been excited for Rachel Reid's The Long Game since she announced that Ilya and Shane were getting a sequel, and this sampler was SO GOOD.

Heated Rivalry, where we first meet Ilya and Shane, was incredible and also one of the books that sent me on my binge of MM hockey romances, but I will be the first to admit that the book was...a lot of sex. Now, that was exactly what suited their story up to that point, and I loved the transition from "we're just rivals hooking up" to "I have feelings for you and never want to be without you". But at the same time, I am *so* excited for The Long Game, not just to see more Shane and Ilya, but to see them in a more...serious and dedicated light, like the taste we got from the last part of Heated Rivalry, instead of repeated, secretive hook ups.

Shane and Ilya have been together for over ten years at this point, and for all that they love each other, the secrecy and separation is taking its toll. Just from the first three chapters in this sampler I can see that this book is going to have a lot for Shane and Ilya to deal with, but I am so freaking excited for it because they are so great together, and I am confident that however this turns out, they're going to be alright. (I'm also still happy over Troy's coming out game in Role Model and crossing my fingers Shane and Ilya get something similar. Sue me.)

The Cait Nary sampler was a fun treat as well! I haven't read anything by Nary before and it was an intriguing start to a story. (I might end up going on another MM hockey romance kick, as a matter of fact :covers eyes:)

I will start by saying The Long Game is my most eagerly anticipated book of 2022. I have read every book in the Game Changers series multiple times and Heated Rivalry more than any of the others. Which is to say, I am both excited and nervous that the book can't meet my inflated expectations.

That said, the preview is promising. The story begins in a place/time that has been mentioned in the previous books but never shown- this is satisfying! Showing us the camp that Shane and Ilya started brings together some of the characters from previous books in a natural way, and the tension that is created by the MCs still keeping their romance a secret sets the stage for a conflict that all readers of this series are dying to see resolved. So far, so good!

My only quibble would be that because Ilya has been more present in the last couple of books in the series, he's both more familiar than Shane but also more at risk of becoming a caricature of himself. His dialogue is, as always, funny and cocky, but I trust that as the story unfolds the depth he has shown will surface.

One thing I really enjoyed was that the desire to come out was expressed by both men, and was not one-sided. It has been established that Ilya is frustrated by keeping their romance a secret, and I was a little nervous that the conflict in this story would be Ilya wants to go public, Shane doesn't. But the story is clearly setting up to be more nuanced and show us the complexities of both men's feelings. Also- Ilya getting jealous! Who knew that was a thing he could do?!? Loved it.

Second- Season's Change by Cait Nary. Another M/M hockey romance that seems poised to discuss some of the problematic culture issues that permeate the sport! I know this may not sound exciting to some readers- but it really is!

First- it provides great natural tension. Our first MC, Olly, is not in a good place at the beginning of the story. He hasn't been training enough over the summer, he's out of shape coming into training camp, and his head is a mess. Why? Because he has been treated poorly by his previous team when it came out that he is gay. This is both super realistic AND gives us a great reason for him to be the grumpy one in this grumpy/sunshine trope we've got going on here (rather than he's just a jerk which is harder to pull off).

Next, sweet Benji is just getting started in his career and his head and his attitude are in the game. He's in a good place and he knows it. What keeps Benji from being one of those perky characters who could only exist in fiction is that he's had to struggle to get here. Overcoming poverty, working through his issues in therapy- he's set up as the sunshine half of the duo with a back story of having worked for his outlook on life.

The things that really worked for me in this story (so far) is that it sets up a grumpy/sunshine, hockey romance that feels grounded in reality rather than an alternate universe where homophobia doesn't exist. The characters feel like real people with real ambitions and challenges. I'm excited to read the whole book!

So excited for the full copies of both of these! Loved all five of Reid’s other books, and the first three chapters of The Long Game prove this one won’t be any different.

Received free excerpts curtesy of NetGalley.
Super sweet start to the novel featuring LGBT hockey romance. I already felt a fondation for their relationship and the stakes at hand. I love a little competition, hot secret romance. Will definitely be picking up the full novel to read!

I can't believe I have to wait almost 4 months for the rest of this novel!! when i picked up this sampler, i really didn't expect it to be this good, or for me to be so attached to the story line and the characters, I absolutely LOVED everything and it flew by way to fast! I'm thrilled about this release and can assure you that I'm going to be one of the first people that reads it!! Thank you Rachel Reid and Cait Nary for this magnificent writing.

I pre-ordered The Long Game as soon as I saw it so it’s no surprise the first three chapters left me wanting more of Ilya and Shane. As usual, Ilya gets all the best lines. I’m looking forward to seeing how their story plays out.

Cait Nary’s Seasons Change does not pick up the threads of a continuing story but introduces Olly joining his new team in the off season. He’s rooming with Benji who is also new to the team. And as happens with a sampler, just as you’re wondering what’s going to happen it comes to an end.

A hockey romance sampler? Oh my! The first few chapters of both leave me wanting to read more! I'm intrigued by the premises.

This tiny glimpse into Shane and Ilya made my day. I read it three times. I want more moments with them, more laughter, more love. More everything. Cannot wait until April. Cannot. Wait. So release the rest! Ilya demands to be read!

M/M hockey romance i think i just about died. shane and ilya have already made me want to read even more chapters because of their cuteness. shane saying cute russian things to ilya made my heart swell because i know damn well if someone did that for me i’d cry. i cant wait to read more <3

as for the second book, i’m not generally a fan of third pov BUT this book definitely is an eye catcher for those who love romances in third pov!!!

The most delicious of teases! I fell in love with Shane and Ilya in HEATED RIVALRY and have been eagerly anticipating THE LONG GAME. Reading the first few chapters here was perfect—getting to revisit with Shane and Ilya and getting a taste of what's to come for them has only increased my excitement for it to release in April, and believe me when I say my excitement was already at an 11.

I've also been eagerly anticipating SEASON'S CHANGE by Cait Nary, and WOW, reading these first chapters left me absolutely yearning for more. I immediately cared about both Ollie and Benji, and was desperate to see what was going to happen next. Even though I knew it was just a sample, I definitely yelled "NOOOOO" out loud when I got to the last page. Thankfully, I was able to get the full book from Netgalley and it did not disappoint!

I enjoyed the Rachel Reid chapters, but I'm already a fan of this series. The setup of the potential conflict is clear and the characters are distinct. 4 stars for Rachel Reid.

I liked the Cait Nary chapters less. The writing didn't clearly explain some of the hockey terminology for readers unfamiliar with the sport. The mysterious incident in the lead character's backstory, regarding his semi-closeted homosexuality, was teased a few too many times and the frequent mention of the mysterious incident belabored the point and grew frustrating until his conversation with the new coach finally shed some light on it. 3 stars for Cait Nary.

Going by the first three chapters, The Long Game is going to be excellent. I am so excited for the rest of Shane and Ilya's story and already love the taste of love, angst and humour in the preview. I have pre-ordered both a digital version and a *jumps around excitedly* print version! I really hope this signals that Carina would consider printing the author's previous books - especially Heated Rivalry.

I also enjoyed the Season's Change chapters and would definitely pick up the book to see where the story goes.

I was provided by NetGalley of an advance copy in exchange of an honest review.

This one was kinda of bland, I think that some of the stories can be really cool, but I couldn't find it enough to buy the full volumes. I'll wait for more reviews before deciding.

This is just the few chapters of The Long Game and I am hooked. I loved Shane and Ilya in the Heated Rivalry and always wanted more. I can't wait for the rest of this book as I know it is going to be a roller-coaster of emotions.

A great start to this long-awaited sequel! I love both Shane and Ilya and their dynamics as a couple, as well as the tension that is being built. I really, really hope we get to actually see their wedding in this book. Those guys deserve it!
*Thank you to Net Galley for providing the first three chapters in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed both samples of these books. There is a big group of stans who are loving the M/M hockey romance right now, and from what I read so far I think both these books will do well.

For me, I was more into the second book sampler Seasons Change. I liked the follow of that story more, and I’m excited to get to finish that one when it releases in February.

Overall both samples were enjoyable.

This sampler includes the first three chapters of two different books. Both were excellent and I will definitely purchase both books.

THE LONG GAME
Ever since Rachel Reid’s first book came out and I read the 1st chapter sample for Heated Rivalry at the end, I’ve been completely obsessed with Shane and Ilya. They are magical, top tier characters individually and together. So of course I found this chapter sampler to be the greatest thing ever. I love seeing them as an established couple!!! And I absolutely love the diversity of the camp coaches!!!!!!!! I’m especially SO excited to get to know the new characters!!!!! Seeing Shane and Ilya with Shane’s mom made them seem younger to me in the best way. The double date was wonderful. Overall this was perfection and even though it’ll break my heart to see Shane and Ilya struggle to deal with their love for each other while trying to maintain their secret and privacy and the conflict of Ilya being ready to tell the world while Shane isn’t, I cannot wait for this book ahhhh!!!!!


SEASON’S CHANGE
It’s hard to say much about this after reading THE LONG GAME snippet first since I’ve know Shane and Ilya for several years now and read their book a bunch of times (definitely a comfort read), whereas I don’t know much about these characters yet and we only got a few chapters. That being said, I’ve had this book preordered since before starting the SEASON’S CHANGE snippet, and after reading it I’m really looking forward to it being published! I’m very intrigued to see where the plot will take us and looking forward to learning more about Olly’s past and seeing him bond with and fall in love with Benji and get happier as he gets help. So far I like both of them as main characters, and I think the sunshine/grumpy roommate & teammates tropes will make for a really great book!!!

It was a game of do I download this sample or not? And I've been eager for any snippet of Ilya and Shane's story, so it won. And ugh, my heart. I need their story now especially after this sample.

You can tell how much it weighs on them to hide their relationship and it had a very solemn mood.

Gosh, I need to know what's going to happen. The Long Game is one of my highly anticipated releases for this year, I'm ready for it.

5/5

I'm quite intrigued in the second book in this sample, The characters are opposities, which is a trope that I love. I'll be adding this one to my TBR.

Like many reviewers I got this sampler for the Long Game, but was pleased to also get a teaser to a debut. Disclaimer, I don't know shit about hockey so I do not judge on anything realistic.

The Long Game: I stumbled upon Heated Rivalry awhile ago and it was such a surprise but so good! Rachel created some truly special characters, and I couldn't wait to have a chance to read them again. We ended the last book with them in a committed relationship, out to a small group, with a short term solution to being together and a lot of uncertainty in the future. We've gotten short scenes, featuring mostly Illya, in Rachel's other books, and I am so ready to see Shane and Illya together again. In these chapters the conflicts are laid out pretty quickly, Shane is still really scared of coming out and Illya is having insecurities that Shane cares enough to want to truly be out and together. These do seem like realistic strains in a closeted relationship, even if it stresses me out to see them upset! It has only made me more excited to see them get to be open to the whole world, even if we have to have some conflict on the way.

Season's Change: We start out following Olly, an apparently veteran player even though he's only played a couple seasons. He's recently changed teams due to an alluded trauma at his old team, and he's having a hard time letting himself trust his teammates and his own abilities. He's definitely a different type of "grump" and I like knowing why he has these feelings and it feels more realistic. Then we meet his new flatmate Benji, a new played who's still in the happy-go-lucky new to professional hockey phase. He seems sweet, if a little underdeveloped, and I can immediately see why they would be good for each other. Coming after Rachel's chapters, the dialogue and characters are not quite as strong, but it's a promising start for a debut.