This queer hockey romance where two teammates fall for each other is perfect for those obsessed with the genre. It's got plenty of tropes (such as 'omg they were roommates' and the non-experienced x super-experienced) as well as some great representation (asexual/demisexual rep!! as well as confronting trauma & grief).

Landon's journey as a reserve goalie dealing with social anxiety, his sexuality, the grief of losing his sister, and his lack of confidence on a NHL team was so well written. I found myself identifying with him so much, especially in relation to his asexuality/lack of sexual attraction. His plot line was super well developed, and I really loved his chapters, especially in relation to his conversations with his teammates/mentors and parents.

As for the other main character Casey... let's just say I didn't care for him. Babes basically had no development or plot line (his story seemed underdeveloped compared to Landon). This is a dual POV novel, and some of his lines and internal dialogue made me physically cringe. There were some really bad, uncomfortable lines in this book (why are we talking about dick size so much?? please just stop). There's also a good amount of smut, which makes this book more new adult and gives it a bit of a fanfiction feel.

Overall it was cute — a very fluffy romance and some great hockey team & game moments. You definitely need to have a bit of an understanding of hockey terminology and organization (like farm teams & reserves), but it's pretty easy to get into. The only reason I brought down my rating is that I found Casey to be a bit of an annoying character and there were some really garish, weird lines and scenes. Just my opinion!

2.5/5
this book was cute!! a nice little winter (can we call it a christmas) romance!

this is perfect for fans of:
- mlm romance
- hockey romance
- opposites attract
- one bed trope (but he lives in a mansion with about six other beds)
- he falls first (but who?)

i really enjoyed the beginning of this book but as it progressed i felt myself struggling with the pacing of it so it took away from my overall enjoyment of it.

i did appreciate how both mcs really respected the other and the support they showed towards each other and their teammates. i do wish more had been said about casey feeling/calling himself “stupid” as well as his parents putting him down!

thank you so much to netgalley, carina adores and harpercollins for both an e-arc and physical arc of this book!

I had trouble getting invested in the characters- the writing felt a bit juvenille to me and the plot points forced. Just not my cup of tea,

I loved this book so so much!!!!
It was the first open-door romance I’ve ever read with two men, and I have no clue why I waited 35 years before ever picking one up! The cover really caught my eye and I’m so glad I read this book. I will absolutely be reading more from Rachel Reid.

The story of Landon and Casey is so fun, wholesome, sweet, and sexy. It had every element of a romance you could ask for. It was a super easy to read, easy to dive into and lose yourself type of book and I read it in just a few days.

And it’s Canadian!!! I especially love books by Canadian authors that take place in Canada! The perfect winter book to read :)

Absolutely lovely. Casey is adorable, Landon is so sweet, and watching them become friends and fall in love is a treat. The demisexual rep was excellent, as was the supportive environment. While both characters have struggles from past traumas, the book never becomes heavy or depressing. It's a slow burn, but it does get nice and sexy by the end. Very heartfelt, heartwarming, and a joy to read.

Unlike many bookstagrammers, I’m not a hockey romance girlie. Not even a sports romance girlie. But when I discovered Time to Shine was not only written by a Canadian author, but was also set in Canada, I couldn’t resist giving it a shot, and I’m so glad I did. This is easily one of my favourite reads of 2023. This book was hilarious, charming, heartfelt, and heartwarming. I happy-cried on multiple occasions because Casey and Landon were just so damn sweet and lovely. I loved their interactions, and it brought me so much joy watching their tentative friendship turn into something more.

I loved that this book was relatively low angst, while still being compelling and engaging. This is potentially a bit of a spoiler, so be warned: I kept waiting for something bad to happen, and I can’t tell you how relieved I was when it didn’t. I wanted to protect these two sweet babies with everything in me and see them get the happily ever after they both deserved. They still fought for their HEA and I felt those bittersweet pangs of wanting them to be together, but it never became drawn-out, dramatic, or over the top, which I appreciated.

Time to Shine is the perfect cozy winter romance. I loved the mostly-Canadian setting (with a few side trips to the States), and the sprinkling of Christmas vibes. If you’re looking for a sweet and steamy romance that’ll make you grin and laugh while you cheer for incredible, well-developed characters, be sure to pick up Time to Shine.

The story was cute, I liked getting out of my comfort zone and reading a hockey romance however I didn’t connect with the characters. I found the dialogue surface level and no real depth in the story.

Thanks to Netgalley

This book wasn't for me, I gave it a shot, and as much as I love slow burn, this was just not it for me.

I'm 1000% sure I reviewed this when it was released, but I can't find it, so I'm going to review it again: Buy this book! Love this book! I'm slightly embarrassed to be on my third read through, but seriously. Landon and Casey are absolutely adorable. This book owns my heart.

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Carina Press for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid is an intriguing sports romances between two hockey teammates & eventual roommates, one is the hotshot of the team meets the AHL goalie called up to temporarily replace his injured teammate. This was a slower burn romance & slower to reel me in, but this couple also had that indescribable charm & love where I couldn’t help but root for them.
I loved the supportive nature of his teammates & their fun & hilarity in general.

Time to Shine is great for fans of
🥅 Hockey Romance
🥅 Teammates & Roommates
🥅 MM Romance
🥅 Opposites Attract

I really enjoyed all the hockey aspects to this novel. I believe this is the first novel I’ve read where a hockey player gets called up to he a temporary reliever for an injured player to the NHL & a goalie at that. I found it to be such a fascinating story & witnessing the pressure & everything that comes with that.

I didn’t love the constant harping on Casey’s intelligence & how everyone seemed to make fun of him. I was happy Landon told him all the good things, but I wanted a more acknowledgment & change by his other loved one personally.

Overall, I ended up really enjoying this. This book made me laugh. It made me giddy as I watched their story unveil. I was incredibly smitten by these two. They had such a lovely supportive & caring nature to their relationship.


I apologize for the lateness of this review. I had back surgery as well as some other health issues that got me behind, but I am trying to catch up. Thanks for the opportunity. I do appreciate it.

My first Rachel Reid and now I cannot WAIT to dive into her backlist! I loved Casey and Landon so much. Their personalities were so different yet they were so sweet together. I thought the traditional hockey romance plot of this series paired with the holidays was so fun!

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy. This one is out now and I highly recommend!

This was a really enjoyable, really sweet romance.

Casey is the legacy superstar on the Calgary team and Landon is the back up goalie from the AHL team being brought up to the NHL. Landon is quiet and reserved but when Casey volunteers to let him stay with him in his home temporarily, they become friends and then that blossoms into more.

Honestly, this book was everything I expected it to be. It was sweet, it was funny, and it has a lot of personal growth between the protagonists.

God I wish the NHL was actually this open.

Here's the deal: I'm actually not sure if TIME TO SHINE is part of a series, but in just the first chapter (I repeat: JUST THE FIRST CHAPTER) the reader is introduced to TWELVE characters. And not just casual mentions. Each of those twelve characters gets a physical description AND a back story of their career in hockey. I'm not exaggerating. I literally counted.

There is absolutely no way a new-to-me-author reader is making it through this book.

It pains me as a Canadian and a hockey lover and a queer reader to DNF this, but I had to.
Because TWELVE CHARACTERS.

I can always count on Rachel Reid to deliver a beautifully queer, happily horny, and brilliant hockey romance. Landon and Casey were a delight to read. I appreciated the way that their team embraced the two of them with open arms. Casey is just so soft, and I wanted to hold him. There was an element to Casey that felt a little immature, but then I realized that this book was the perfect example of a young twenty something kid who is just figuring out who he is. I think that Time to Shine is a perfect cozy holiday romance to curl up with. From this Canadian bisexual hockey lover to you: it’s time to pick this book up.

Book Review
Time to Shine by Rachel Reid

This book in 3 words: Funny. Touching. Solid!

I binged this while I floated in a resort pool while on vacation in Mexico. A M/M hockey romance hit just right with a sweet balance between spice and emotional character growth. All I know is this book made me LAUGH. HARD. Like, people were by me saying, "damn, that book must be good" as I inhaled it, and a cucumber julep, in the pool.

I loved Casey. He was such a memorable character and was such a blast. He was like the perfect amount of cinnamon roll with a party boy. I couldn't get enough of him.

Landon was a perfect stand-offish character. I loved watching him grow and stretch, just a little. It was so easy to root for him.

Definitely recommend.

Time To Shine, by Rachel Reid

Have you read a hockey rom-com??

Despite, my being at a hockey rink multiple times a week and helping on and off the bench, and being surrounded by all things hockey - this is my first hockey rom-com!

Time To Shine charming, tender and tantalizing , and a great one to take off your tbr shelf for a rip!
Heck, y’a!

I loved all the hockey references (even a wee jab at the Leafs), the use of AHL and NHL for a bit of call-up action and drama, and the story that unfolds off the ice between the grumpy-sunshine MMC’s. And I loved how it took place during the holiday’s!!

It’s a stacked line-up serving some serious hockey love!!
🏒 💜 🥅

For a first, I sure know how to pick them! And If you love hockey and rom-com’s, then I think you might love this one, too!

Thank you to Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) and NetGalley for my digital copy to read and review.

Time to Shine is a sweet and quite adorable hockey romance, which Rachel Reid does really well. Landon and Casey are very much the opposite of each other; Landon's reserved, quiet, and very harsh to himself, whereas Casey is outgoing, loud, and loves people. It's fascinating to follow how Casey takes Landon under his wing and begins to bring Landon out of his shell - and how Landon sees Casey beyond him being bit too loud and bit too annoying. Honestly, they are made for each other, it just takes time for them to figure it out.

The developing relationship is a wonderful thing but the hockey scenes are fantastic. Rachel Reid writes hockey so well that it's trilling and feels like watching a game. I just wish there were more hockey games in the book! Too many were glossed over, I wanted details upon details. What a fabulous setting Reid created, I love the Calgary Outlaws team. They are such a close knit team and accepted Landon into their ranks so well (also helps a lot that Casey is emotionally very intelligent).

I absolutely adored Landon and Casey’s story. They were quite the opposites of each other, but they understood each other deeply and connected to each other the way they couldn’t to any other people. The close proximity only added to the development of their relationship. They shared many sweet, cozy and sexy moments together. The time they spent apart was kind of agonizing, but when they reunited with each other world order was restored. This book is a great pick if you live MM hockey romance stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book.

Rachel Reid is the author of the "Game Changers series", featuring hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov and their ten-year angst-filled relationship. "Time to Shine" is similar in that it features two young hockey players, Casey Hicks and Landon "Stacks" Stackhouse, but has more of a young adult (YA), less sexually-charged feel, yet deeply emotional.

Casey Hicks is the son of a hockey legend, always destined to become a hockey star. He's the kind of guy for whom "jobs like 'data quality specialist' and 'logistics manager' were mysteries. But he genuinely listened to people when they talked about themselves, even if he didn't always understand what they were saying." He's uncomplicated, likes meeting new people, like exploring new places, and sex.

Landon Stackhouse has been called up to Calgary as back-up goalie and while he clearly is a talented goaltender, he's pretty much the opposite of Casey - he's an introvert who just wants to prove his worth to the team, and he's got a lot of guilt and sorrow in thinking that he has chosen hockey over his family. Yet the two become roommates, and slowly explore a relationship where Landon feels comfortable exploring his demisexuality/asexuality and life-of-the-party Casey finds that he would rather be with Landon more than anyone else, even if they just hold hands and watch TV.

The first time I read this book, I liked it but upon a second read, became overwhelmed by the way these two young athletes fall in love, the way they support one another, how they negotiate a sex life that works for them, and of course - because this is Rachel Reid who clearly knows her way around hockey - how they play some awesome hockey and get the happy ending they deserve.

Reid has created a great set of characters here - the secondary characters are richly fleshed out and even the tertiary characters have an intriguing depth that makes you want to know them more. 4.5 stars and here's hoping that Reid continues this series.

This was literally the flipping sweetest! It won’t be for everyone simply bc while they know each other one is with someone else and I can see how that might be triggering for some people. I looooved these two! It was a such sweet hockey romance. These two become friends and fall in love! One is all banter with easy charm, the other is tall with a side of awkward …. It is perfect. No notes. It could not have been better!

Sweet Slow Burn With Excellent Pay Off!


*my Amazon review hasn’t been approved yet so posted my profile for when it does