These first few chapters were definitely enough to get me excited about reading this book when it comes out in the fall. I wasn't always super clear on which perspective we were getting, Landon's or Casey's, but it feels like they'll merge soon anyway, so that's okay. Both characters clearly like each other and clearly have some darkness in their past that they're trying to escape. So far those pasts are still murky, but I'm hopeful that more will be revealed as the book progresses. Already the team camaraderie amongst all the characters was so much fun, and I'm eager to learn more about the hockey team (although I also won't be super surprised if the rest of the characters stay pretty flat and we focus on the obvious romantic interest).

I loved Rachel Reid’s Game Changer series, so when she mentioned she had a new standalone coming out, I was like, “Yes, please,”.
Landon. Oh my. Sweet, introverted, grieving Landon. I want to give him a hug in the worst way. I’m a sucker for men who try hard to do better. Watching him struggle hurt my heart. But he was such a good man, deflecting Casey when he called himself stupid, and giving him proof that dragons are real (in a way).
And Casey, sigh…. Someone that relentlessly upbeat is usually hiding something. He seems to have led a charmed life, and I want to discover his secrets: Why is he afraid to be alone? What’s sleeping with the lights on all about?
If I know Rachel Reid, these characters are going to be magical. Close-ish (it’s a big house!) proximity is one of my favorite tropes.
The preview I read of Time to Shine wasn’t enough! I can’t wait to read The whole thing,

I love Rachel Reid's hockey romance books. This was just excellent. Pining, one bed used among a million beds available, finding your person, facing your fears, opening up to someone, seeing that you are more and you deserve more. Casey is just a sweatheart. He talks a lot, doesn't know how to cook, is messy and has fears he hasn't told anyone until Landon comes to live with him. Landon, temporary backup goalie, is introverted, he couldn't be more different than Casey yet they fit perfectly together. Sparks literally fly, there's so much tension everytime they're together but none think they have a chance with the other. Lack of communication for fear is present in the book and while it bothers me a bit and I wanted them to just talk freely, I liked their journey from teammates, roommates then lovers. And I liked a lot how their private lives where handled. They were very honest and open about what they wanted. They were just so sweet. I loved both their personalities and how different they were. I swooned. They were really so sweet! Another excellent book by Rachel Reid!

On the surface (of the ice?), Casey and Landon have one thing in common—hockey. Beyond that, they're as different as peanut butter and coffee (I swear I'm not going to extend this metaphor, but it's relevant to a small joke in the book). Landon is quiet, new, just getting his first chance with the big leagues. Casey is already a star, nothing but a bundle of energy and fire. And when Landon needs a place to stay, Casey is quick to offer up a spare room—because Casey has demons of their own, and they're best quelled by not going home alone to an echoing house.

Shenanigans, one can safely assume, ensue.

Lovely setup here: very different heroes, and not immediately comfortable together, but both likable—this is less enemies-to-lovers than it is awkward-acquaintances-to-lovers, but that suits my book preferences just fine. From the sample, I foresee clashes on and off the ice, continued awkward communication that makes its way to awkward sexual tension and eventually *chemistry* on and off the ice, and an eventual thawing...hopefully of only the relationship, not the ice. Hockey's a fast-paced sport, but "Time to Shine" looks poised to keep up, and it looks like there's lots of room for character development and Figuring Stuff Out. I'm here for it.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing this sample through NetGalley.

As a queer hockey player myself, I know how close-minded and homophobic people can be. I can’t tell you how refreshing it was to read that snippet of budding queer love (I can tell it’s coming!!!!!). This book is already tugging at my cold gay heartstrings. I can’t wait for the rest! The characters are likeable and deep, and they are flawed without being horrible people. Can’t wait for the full book!

Let me start by saying I love Rachel Reid’s books! I only got to read six chapters of Time to shine, and I am simply obsessed. Casey is so completely lovable and sweet, major golden retriever vibes. Landon is quiet and more introverted! Landon is called up to be the back up goalie for Casey’s NHL team. Simply put I need the rest of the book! 6 chapters in and this is definitely a 5 star read! Thank you NetGalley for the preview! Now I need it all!!!!!!!!!!

Loved it. Can NOT WAIT To read more about these two.
You have a way of making me care deeply for your characters very, very quickly. I love their opposites attract vibe, the hints towards their backstories, and the side characters as well. The team feels like a tight knit group. Even the captain- with only a few sentences of dialogue, plays into the caring leader role perfectly.
They both seem so vulnerable with their little individual quirks, and I cant wait to read more.

Time to Shine has been added to my Must Read list when it comes out in September! I was provided an ARC of the first six chapters and I’m hooked! Landon is a goalie hockey star in the minor leagues and gets called up to the NHL when the backup goalie for the Calgary team (his favorite team, of course!) is injured. What was supposed to be for only a game or two turns out to be for 2 months, so now Landon has to find a place to stay and could have a shot at making it to the NHL. The focus in the chapters is mostly on Landon, but it also switches to Casey about 1/3 of the time.

Casey is a very outgoing player on the team and hates to be alone. He’ll do just about anything to prevent that by hanging out with team members, going to the bar for one-night stands or inviting Landon to live with him for the two months he’s in Calgary! While I haven’t read the full book, this sample was very enjoyable and I can’t wait to see Landon (a man serious seeming man who likes to be alone) and Casey (goofy/outgoing man who hate to be alone) come together.

Aaaahhhh, just finished reading the six-chapter PREVIEW and it gave me all the endorphins. Landon is precious and I am in severe love with Casey 🥺.

Rachel Reid is doing it again! I kept my expectations level going in, because this is set in a completely different world from the Game Changers universe and some people in that world have my heart. But I needn't have worried, Rachel knows just how to build characters you fall in love with.

September, where are you? I need to read the whole thing NOW!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Carina Press for the free preview of the first six chapters. Somebody give me a full ARC! 🥺🥺

I’m already in love with Landon and Casey! Thank you for this sample and how dare you bait me with a preview! How will I survive until September?

I've read and enjoyed all of Rachel Reid's books so I went in with somewhat high expectations. Writing is impeccable as always. Good characters foundation at this point. I see lots of potential for where the story might go. I already feel emotionally connected to the characters even though it's only six chapters and much hasn't happened yet. Casey is so endearing already omg. And I have faith the whole thing is gonna be just great. Can't wait to read it

Omg Landon and Casey are such sweethearts! I wanna roll them up in soft blankets and protect them both. They deserve all the good things. Landon is lovely and sweet and is still grieving an as-yet-undisclosed tragedy in his past. Casey is a sunshine tornado who also has some personal demons. Oh my goodness, these two… I cannot wait to see their story fully unfold. I love them both so much already!

Rachel Reid builds the characters here so wonderfully, they are distinctive and full of personality. The story is solid and the pieces we learn about Landon and Casey in the first 6 chapters definitely left me wanting to know more. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK!! And this preview made me 1000x more impatient for it. I need it nooooooow *cries*

Rachel Reid is probably one of my favourite authors and even though this story isn't set in the same universe as my comfort series Game Changers I can feel this book is going to easily join the rest on my favourite hockey romances list.

Can't wait to read the full work (hopefully with an eARC too).

Thank you NetGalley and Carina Press for providing me with this short preview.

Six chapters wasn’t enough!

Now the wait is on for September.

Thanks to Rachel Reid and Netgalley for giving me a sneak peek into Rachel’s new book.

We can see already how quiet, loner Landon and outgoing, wired Casey are total opposites. This is going to be awesome!

**Thank you, NetGalley, for sending an ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

It was just a preview of six chapters, but it was enough to hook me up! What do I do now? I need more 😭.

This author never disappoints me. I love her writing style, and her ability to give life to such painfully real characters. For me, that's the best part of her books and this one was no exception. Landon and Casey are both intriguing characters and I'm sure their journey will be worth reading.

I think this book will be another success for Rachel Reid, and I'm excited about its release. Wishing the author the best of luck! Thank you for always bringing amazing stories to my life.

Already in love and obsessed with these characters. I cannot wait for the release of the full book! I am **hooked**.

From chapter 1 it is clear what Rachel Reid intends with this. While funny in Reid's classic style, the tone of the book and voices of the characters are immediately unique from her other books, and what sets it apart from the Game Changers series is the world in which homophobia and toxic masculinity does not exist in hockey culture. I was immediately charmed by Casey's incapability to sit still and fear of the dark, as well as Landon's hesistsnt nature. As this was just a preview, I can safely say that I will be anxiously anticipating where this is going, and I cannot wait to see both Landon and Casey grow separately and together.

This novel is going to be SO SPECIAL!!! I adored this Sneak Peek from the very first page: Landon and Casey are delightful Characters and I would love to make them my friends. Casey's neurodivergence isn't harped on but instead delineated subtly, and Landon is a subdued, reclusive, individual by nature and by life tragedy. Their friendship and beyond is going to be absolutely precious!!!

Rachel did an amazing job of immediately drawing me into the story and getting me invested in the trajectory of both main characters. They have such different personalities, while also being similarly fragile and loveable. Landon so totally deserves his chance for major league success! And we must protect Casey at ALL costs! I cannot wait for the rest of this ride!!