*thank you to Berkely, NetGalley, and Lana Ferguson for the eARC.

Yall. This book. THIS BOOK. I loved Lana with The Nanny, she blew me away with The Fake Mate, and now I am on my knees with The Game Changer.

Delilah “Lila” Baker is…. A baker. And that is too freaking adorable. She’s great at it too. Ian Chase is a hockey player who is….chasing Lila? I think that’s how we’re gonna talk about their names. Ian is a hockey player who left his hometown of Boston to avoid drama and scandal. Life has brought him back to the pro team his parents own, and isn’t that its own bag of worms? I love that both Lila and Chase are just a little bit messy and chaotic and have the baggage of their lives. They aren’t perfect and that makes the story so much better.

On to the plot: Lila is a baker and her tv show is facing declining viewership, and her show has decided that a partnership with the local pro hockey team would be great boost. Ian has just moved back and his scandalous past is following him, so he is put on the show to help his “bad boy” image. Unsurprisingly, the team up of the two is quite hot, and rumors fly. Are they in love? Are they not? Do her deserts actually taste like sugar coated heaven? Relationship rumors fly, and Lila and Ian choose to lean into them (at the urging of their respective teams). Will they stay just friends or will they develop into so much more?

Fake dating and real friendship mix in a sweet, romantic, HOT story full of like and love and lust. I was truly hooked from line one all the way until the epilogue was over. This book made me fall in love with hockey and baking all at the same time, which is such a tall order. Lana Ferguson is so quickly becoming one of my auto buy authors and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lana, and Berkley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lana Ferguson has quickly made it onto my auto-buy list. I remember hearing about this book so long ago and immediately wanting to read it, knowing it was going to be an amazing read. Since then, I’ve read both ‘The Nanny’ and ‘The Fake Mate’ (if you haven’t read those I BEG of you to go read them right this second) and instantly fell in love with how Lana can pull off a spicy as hell, but sweet as can be rom-com story.

The game changer hits this sweet but spicy mark right on its head. You immediately start loving, and rooting for, Ian and Lila because their instant chemistry is off the charts. At one point I was just BEGGING them to finally give in and kiss already😩 the will-they-won’t-they in this book is top teir.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
- Cute nicknames
- Friends to Lovers
- Brother’s Best Friend
- No 3rd Act Breakup

Lana has done it again! She has perfectly mixed a compelling story with the spiciest spice and it just makes me so happy.

You have the soft, ‘innocent’ baker with Delilah and the big, scruffy hockey player with Ian. When you put the two of them together, it’s smoking hot chemistry with banter and teasing leaving you desperately wanting them to get together ASAP. I really enjoyed that Delilah knows what she wants and was not afraid to start making the first move 👏🏻👏🏻

Ian is a hockey player and there are some hockey talk/events but not TOO MUCH description of gameplay which I think was a very smart approach by Lana. Most of the time in hockey romance reads, I tend to get lost/confused in the action of the game but I never felt that way with The Game Changer, but I still got all the fun and hot hockey vibes.

You can’t have a brother’s best friend trope without the brother and even though I know this was such a labor of love for Lana, I hope we get a Jack story in the future! He really rounds out the story and is the perfect comedic relief to contrast the banter and tension of Delilah and Ian.

Another deliciously hot entry into the Lana Ferguson extended universe! Lana can do contemporary romcom, paranormal romcom, and now... a hockey romance. But rest assured you do not need to care at all about sports to enjoy. This was a high-heat, low-conflict (within the relationship, at least -- there's a family plot that has plenty of conflict) read that's perfect for readers who are looking for cozy spicy beach reads with no third-act breakup or miscommunication. As usual, Lana excels at spice, funny, well-developed side characters, and fast-paced plots that keep the pages turning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A hockey romance with side of brothers bff! This is for the girlies who aren’t fans of miscommunication or third act breaks ups because it’s pretty slow burn and smooth sailing once the two leads get together. I enjoyed the first half of the book but once they go together it kinda lost all its appeal for me. Lila being so obsessed with him since she was a teen and even now was a little to desperate for my taste. Not a bad book at all, but def my least favorite

Lana is definitely an auto-buy author for me now! Loved the Fake Mate and I adored this one! Lila and Ian are just so perfect together. And I loved her zany brother Jack. There's a fair amount of angst but its coming from her job and his dad and not them as a couple, which I found refreshing. I love a good brother's best friend trope and this one was made even more sweeter by the fact that she crushed on him growing up. I wish we had gotten a little more closure on Lilah's storyline outside of her relationship with Ian but otherwise this book was fabulous!

for delilah baker and ian chase, it was always going to be them – it was just a matter of timing. in the game changer, these childhood friends fall fast in love and commit to the happy ending they deserve, no matter the hurdles.

when ian is traded back to boston's hockey team in need of a reputatiion repair and delilah's television production team desire a ratings boost, the circumstances align perfectly to get these lovebirds in a room, to really get the rumors flying. having grown up together thanks to ian being delilah's older brother's friend, old feelings resurface upon reintroduction and it is full steam ahead from there, full pun intended. honestly, there were even moments where the game changer felt a bit like a second book in a series where the couple have settled in and look to work out the kinks that could keep them apart. while that insta-love aspect didn't impact my overall enjoyment much, it was a touch too fluffy at times. just a personal preference thing ultimately.

having also read lana ferguson's the fake mate, I have such appreciation for her versatile storytelling and the courage it must take to tackle plots on opposite sides of the romance genre. in this book, we get a hockey romance from an author whose last release was omegaverse centric. having to shift gears like that can't be an easy task. it's even more impressive to pull it off and delivered a low-stakes romance, full of heat and swoon. delilah and ian's dynamic felt effortless. readers on the hunt for a breezy read will be in good hands with this one.

thanks to berkley and lana ferguson for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Lana Ferguson and Berkley Publishing Group for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This delightful hockey romance was an absolute joy, brimming with fun, cuteness, humor, spice, and heartfelt moments that kept me grinning, cackling, kicking my legs, and swooning from start to finish!! The Game Changer expertly weaves together the beloved childhood friends-to-lovers and brother's best friend tropes, delivering a narrative rich in snarky banter, irresistible longing, undeniable chemistry and sizzling spice!! Did I mention, there's NO dreadful miscommunication or third-act breakup to contend with in this captivating story!! Being my first foray into this author's work, I'm left wondering what rock I've been hiding under?! I simply can't wait to dive into more books by Lana Ferguson!! I absolutely adored this book so much!!! 💗💗💗💗💗

When a very public breakup becomes a PR nightmare for Ian Chase's team, he hopes to focus on his game, but with his career and team's image in jeopardy, he turns to Delilah Baker his best friend's little sister, for help. Delilah, known as "the darling of baking," proposes a collaboration to boost her local cable show's ratings, but when Ian enters the picture, old feelings resurface, blurring the lines between reality and PR. As they navigate this delicate situation, they must decide if their relationship is just for show or something more. Will this PR stunt be a game changer or leave them both "totally packed"?

Overall, it is a sweet, spicy and heartwarming romance that kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish! I enthusiastically recommend and it certainly deserves all the stars!! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Solid “liked it.” There just wasn’t enough hockey in the hockey romance. Lana “doesn’t do sports” according to the acknowledgements, and I realize I’m completely unsurprised. There wasn’t the eager energy of entering the ice, the enthusiasm of the game winning goals, the hot sex working off the adrenaline high after a game, the found family and camaraderie with the team… this book would have made more sense if Ian was an engineer, really. The sports aspect fell completely flat, and it’s only a sports romance inasmuch as he’s “playing on a hockey team.”

That said, there was plenty of sex. There was also plenty of baking and a side plot with Abby that took center stage in the end and worked well. This will appeal to readers who are in for a calm, slow burn with heavy focus on the characters and their personal drama.

From a craft perspective, Lana nails it. But I really do wish she’d spent more time on the hockey aspect, which is what makes a sports romance fun. But had I set those expectations aside, I probably would have enjoyed it more. (At 65%, I was asking “where’s the hockey…”)

This is missing the lightness and quick wit of the Nanny and the Fake Mate. Overall, this will appeal to readers who want something heavier and slightly darker in tone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

When hockey player Ian Chase returns to town, he's shocked to see how much his best friend's little sister, and his own childhood friend, Delilah, has grown up. Delilah is used to being in front of a camera, with her local baking show, but when ratings are down and she suggests bringing in a hockey player to drum up viewers. She expects her brother will be the selected player, but when the team sends Ian, who is desperate to help his own image for his own reasons, the two can't help but flirt. Her childhood crush never seems to have left. The flirting fuels rumors that the two are dating and their respective camps encourage them to fuel the flames in the hopes of good publicity. But the line between fake and real becomes ever so blurry.

Ferguson is an incredibly talented writer--I mean, she got me to read a shifter romance, for goodness sake. But a hockey romance is much more bread and butter, and this one was everything I wanted. Ian was an interesting character, and even though I can't say any of the "twists" were surprising, I didn't mind; I don't read romance because it's unpredictable. Childhood friends to lovers, fake dating, and sports romance are all fabulous tropes and I love to see them in one nice package.

Thanks to Berkley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

i have been looking forward to this book and it was absolutely worth it i loved every single second yessssssss

I loved this so freaking much! Delilah is my favorite FMC in a long while. I love that she finally got her chance with her childhood crush and I’m so glad Ian finally got his shit together lol

Where the heck did Lana Ferguson come from??? Her books are SO fun, and incredibly spicy, and this third book is a great example of that. Seriously cannot wait for book four.

First off, I would like to say thank you so much to Berkely and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. From the dedication, the author made it clear that this book was a tough one to write, but she did it! She pushed through and wrote something way outside of her comfort zone and I think that is something worth celebrating.
But, this book was not for me. I believe some of this may have been my fault since this was my second book by the author and I did not enjoy the first one I had read for very similar reasons.
I love hockey. We are dedicated hockey fans in our house, not to mention the Great British Baking Show, so when I saw The Game Changer, I felt that I would be the audience for this book!
But....I am sadly not. I am not opposed to spice, but this book relied waaaaaay too much on it and the plot was sorely lacking. A lot of the characters were not fully fleshed out, and I feel that if an individual were to make it to playing in the NHL he would have a little bit more of a backbone than what the MMC showed. The use of the nicknames "Cupcake" and "Brat" I found to be a bit demeaning as well.
Again, this is just my personal preference...not my recommendation for a hockey romance, but I could see fans of Tessa Bailey and Elle Kennedy liking this book!

This was such a fun (and spicy) childhood friends to lovers book. I adored Ian and Lila, and loved their communication. (No miscommunication trope to be found.) The romance was so well written, I was worried that another hockey romance might feel stagnant, but it didn’t. I liked the baking aspect of it too. The brother/sister dynamic was funny and endearing. Jack is a hoot, and I loved his character. This was a 5 ⭐️ sweet and spicy romance for me! (I have her other 2 books on my shelf and plan to read them asap now.)

Step into the enchanting world of sports romance, where heartwarming moments and thrilling excitement await in the masterful storytelling of Lana Ferguson, the brilliant mind behind Nanny.

This captivating tale promises to whisk you away with its blend of sweet romance, palpable chemistry, and irresistible tropes like friends-to-lovers and fake dating. Ferguson's skillful storytelling is sure to hook you from the first page, making it impossible not to fall under its spell.

Curl up on your couch, grab your favorite beverage, and prepare to lose yourself in the pages of this fast-paced, engaging read. It's the perfect escape for those seeking a delightful journey filled with laughter, swoons, and heartwarming moments.

Now, let's dive into the plot: The story unfolds through the perspectives of two protagonists. First, we meet Delilah Baker, a talented cable channel baking show host in her late twenties, who spent years honing her craft in Paris. When her show faces the threat of cancellation due to declining ratings, Delilah's brother Jack comes up with a brilliant idea—to invite hockey players as guests on her show to boost its popularity.

Enter Ian Chase, recently returned to Boston following a scandalous divorce and in need of a positive image makeover. When his agent suggests appearing on a cooking show hosted by none other than Delilah Baker—the same girl he remembers from their childhood—Ian sees it as a chance for a nostalgic reunion.

However, upon meeting Delilah again, Ian is taken aback by her transformation into a stunning and witty woman, reigniting feelings he thought were long forgotten. Meanwhile, Delilah finds herself grappling with complex emotions, as her childhood crush on Ian resurfaces with renewed intensity. Their undeniable chemistry sizzles both on-screen and off, captivating audiences and sparking rumors.

When Ian's agent proposes a fake dating scenario to improve his public image, Ian hesitates, mindful of the boundaries with his best friend's sister—though his private desires suggest otherwise. Meanwhile, Delilah, always up for a challenge, sees the fake dating charade as a strategic move to save her show's future.

But as their pretend relationship deepens amidst mounting tension, Ian's secrets from a mysterious past threaten to unravel everything. Will they take a chance on love, defying the odds stacked against them?

In summary, this is a spellbinding sports romance that offers an irresistible blend of passion, humor, and heartfelt moments. Highly recommended for anyone in search of a delightful escape into the world of romance.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing this enchanting romance's digital review copy. Your generosity is truly appreciated.

In this childhood friends to lovers romance, Delilah and her brother’s best friend Ian team up for her baking show. Ian is a professional hockey player fighting bad publicity, and Delilah wants to bring more attention to her show. Naturally, a fake dating scheme works to both of their benefits!

I love Lana Ferguson’s books, and she is showing she can write all types of romance with this venture into sports romance. It was oh so sweet (and spicy)! Ian is thoughtful, caring, emotionally intelligent, and makes a great match for Lila. I loved Jack, Lila’s brother and Ian’s best friend, and I’m very hopeful that he is being set up for his own future book (please, Lana???). I loved the couple’s shared history, the slight age gap (5 years), friends to lovers, the banter and cute nicknames, and the family drama side story. Did I mention- no third act breakup or miscommunication in sight? If you’re in search a of a spicy, fun sports romance, this one is for you!

Thank you to Lana Ferguson, Berkley Romance, and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book!! Such a cute & quick read. I adored Ian & Lilah. I loved how the problems were solved together & it didn’t have that third act breakup you usually see towards the end. The spice was some of my favorite I’ve read (as usual with this author) & I can’t wait to read whatever she puts out next!

This was hot and an exciting read. I love the range Ferguson’ writing seems to be having. The story's direct and endearing approach to love and self-discovery is very enjoyable, and the characters are relatable and easy to root for.

When Delilah Baker's baking show isn't performing as well as her producers want it to, she comes up with a plan to feature Boston's beloved hockey team to bring in viewers. What she didn't expect was Ian Chase to be the player they send in: her brother's best friend and her first love. After a record breaking episode and viewers honing in on their on-screen chemistry, Lila and Ian decide to enter a fake dating situationship in hopes of gaining good press that could benefit them both.

This was a solid, easy read from Lana! The plot is very straight forward and while it was not super unique, it was executed well; the relationship that develops between Ian and Lila was believable, spicy scenes were hot, and thank god, there wasn't a third act break up. Ferguson's writing improves with each book and its noticeable! I had a good time with this and think a lot of readers will too.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!