Such a wonderful book about a later in life love. It’s a slow burn with a smaller climax, which sounds like it might be a bad thing but isn’t. The story picks up several years after a large climactic event, which is interesting narratively. Rachel Reid has a magical ability to make characters feel real and genuine. Very different from her other novels, which I also love, though as usual, she is at her best when taking a more unconventional approach to a story. Would absolutely recommend!

4.25 stars

This gets the emotions flowing right out of the gate. The story starts at the funeral for Riley's father, Harvey, which is the catalyst that brings Riley and Adam together again after almost 14 years apart. They are in their 40s now and have truly experienced life. Riley is openly gay and Adam is now divorced. I appreciated all the necessary conversations that happened. Adam truly treated Riley poorly in the past, and luckily he now realizes his mistakes and wants to make things right. This is truly a story of right person, wrong time. They have both always loved each other, but Riley was the only one who could admit it. Riley really gave me Ryan Price vibes (Tough Guy) in that he was really struggling and deserved so much better from the NHL. The mental health rep was also lovely to see here. Rachel Reid handles the subject with so much care, and it felt so relatable for anyone who has struggled with depression.

I enjoyed the cozy vibes of Avery River. It was such a nice backdrop for such an emotional story. Adam is a redemption character. You honestly kind of hate him a little for a lot of the story because of what he did, but he is on a journey of growth, and I loved being there for that.

This is a slow-burn of sorts in my mind because Riley takes his time in forgiving Adam, as he should. Adam really has to work to get back into Riley's good graces, and I liked seeing that. The journey felt real and honest.

My only desire from this that wasn't fulfilled was that I would have liked to see a few more flashback scenes. I would have liked to see a little more of what happened, rather than be told in the present. That said, Rachel Reid is amazing. She really knows how to write good characters and raw stories. This is definitely worth checking out.

In Rachel Reid we trust!

Seriously— there’s nothing she can write that I will not absolutely devour. I was starting this book mere minutes after it arrived on my kindle and did not put it down till I had finished. The way Rachel explored themes around identity, grief and forgiveness was truly masterful. I loved the older protagonists and the second chance romance, and didn’t find myself missing the hockey focus *too* much with all of the Nova Scotia scenery and family dynamics. While the first half was definitely difficult with the loss of Riley’s father, Adam’s tender care of him was so gut wrenching and will remain with me long after I finished. Overall, I just remain in complete awe at Rachel Reid’s writing and can’t wait to pick up all her future work!

Can he win the heart of the man who hates him now?

This is everything I look for in a love story. Adorable, swoon worthy, painfully tender, The Shots You Take is about two people who want to be the happy ending to their life story.

Leaving his ex-teammate, best friend, and NHL career behind, Riley moved back home to Nova Scotia and mended his heart after an emotional roller-coaster friendship with Adam.

When tragedy strikes, Adam takes a chance and turns up in Riley’s small hometown. With more than a decade between them, both Riley and Adam have much to catch up on.

Told in present time with some glimpses of past events creates a captivating experience. Riley and Adam soon realize that their original passion has not dimmed with the passage of time, but the hurt continues to surface. The obstacles that once prevented Adam from realizing his love for Riley finally unfolds.

This story has the fundamental elements of love lost and found again, revolving around unrequited, seemingly forbidden relationship and a clear portrayal of chemistry. The realistic conversations and maturity embedded in this book elevated the quality, made it believable. Deeply moving, tender, and I just loved it.

Thanks to Carina Adores (Harlequin - Romance) for providing me with an e-ARC of this via Netgalley.

New Rachel Reid??? Yes, please!!!!

I was so excited to be offered an ARC through Harlequin! Of course no one writes hockey like Reid!

This book is so heart wrenching but also a really great friends to lovers, unrequited love with found family book. This deals with grief, loss of a parent, depression and mental health so if those are triggers please take care of yourself and take these into consideration. The death of Riley’s father is a huge part of the story and losing my father a few years ago really hit close to home. I didn’t find the subject upsetting but it is something that can be a trigger for some.

This really was such a beautiful story. Riley is a strong character who has been in love with his best friend and teammate Adam for years. It’s been more than a decade since he cut Adam out of his life but after Riley’s father dies Adam comes to his funeral. For Adam, Riley’s father was the closest thing he had to a true father figure, his parents having always been cold and closed off.

Riley’s family, his mother and sister, are so supportive and of course Riley’s dog Lucky is the best! Riley does not want to see Adam after everything he went through before leaving hockey all together. He doesn’t know why Adam has shown up after so long and he cannot go through the pain he experienced after Adam ripped his heart to shreds.

Adam has no idea why Riley cut him out of his life. I thought it was obvious but when you’re in a situation it’s not that simple. Adam has had a lot of revelations through the years and when he learns that Riley’s father has passed away he knows he has to pay his respects and finally find out why Riley cut him off completely.

The slow pace of the romance was perfect since Adam had a lot to make up for but Riley also had to face things he never did before too. The center of this book is about mental health and how in sports many players are looked upon as being weak if they put themselves first. I love that Reid writes about these important topics. She is so good at bringing these subjects to light.

I do wish the ending was not so fast, the epilogue is wonderful but I felt like we didn’t have enough of Riley and Adam after they got together. We didn’t see Riley with Adam’s children or how he fit into that part of Adam’s life.

I did love this though and I am so happy we have another Rachel Reid book to enjoy.

ARC provided by Harlequin for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!


This book was great! I did have a hard time getting in to it but about 20-25% in to it I couldn’t stop reading. I loved the writing style and I loved the characters and their chemistry. Riley and Adams story is so heartwarming! I am glad I kept reading!!

3.5⭐️ the Shots We Take is a LGBTQ second
chance hockey romances, friend to enemies to lovers. There is dealing with loss and grief and mental health.

Riley and Adam haven’t spoken in over a decade, but when Riley’s father passes away Adam decided to go to the funeral. Seeing Adam after all that time is too much for Riley especially after just losing his father he tells Adam to leave, but Adam stays he wants to help in anyway that he can.

Adam has returned divorced, retired and having finally figured out that he was gay. And now he is here to win Riley back. Riley had always been in love with Adam, but he’s feeling were always brushed off like they didn’t matter. Riley doesn’t want his heart broken again.

This was a great book, however I did have to keep reminding myself that these were grown men and not college students.

Reid’s stories always have the HEA with all the feels and this is no exception. Found family and supporting cast of characters round out this cozy read.

The absolutely perfect blend of sweet and spicy!!
At the end of the first chapter I was already excited for what was to come, I just knew it was going to be good!

I have always been firmly against second chance romances, but Rachel Reid has shown me the light and changed my mind, I was on the verge of tears at parts that probably weren't even meant to make you want to cry. There is so much emotion in this story and it really hit me hard. The writing is absolutely stunning. Had I not been in public while reading this, I no doubt would have been in tears, multiple times. There is so much angst!

I want to be friends with literally every one of Riley's friends.

The ending was perfect and I will for sure be reading more from Rachel Reid!

I've read a few Rachel Reid books before and enjoyed them, but this one was definitely my favorite! I was not sure I'd like it because second chance is not my favorite trope and I'm petty so I don't like when characters are too forgiving. I liked that Riley really made Adam work for forgiveness. This book had spice, feeling and was funny so for me it was one of the best romance novels I have read this year!

Where to begin?!? How do I even put into words what I'm feeling right now after finishing this beautiful heartfelt story.

Riley and Adam's story is beautiful. The ups and downs. The roller coaster of emotions I felt while reading this. I love a good happily ever after and it did not disappoint.

I'm a huge fan of Rachel Reid and I think The Shots You Take may just be my new favourite book of hers.

Thank you Netgally for the ARC. I truly enjoyed every moment of this book.

Second chance, small town, hockey romance. A lot of steam. A lot of emotions. I normally read romcoms, so this one was an emotional roller coaster for me.

Twelve years ago, Adam and Riley were friends, teammates, and more. You get to see some of their earlier story through flashbacks. In the present, Adam shows up to support Riley after the death of his father and every emotion bubbles up to the surface. Once some issues are settled and they start being honest with each other, we get to see their chemistry and how they could build a relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for The Shots You Take to come out March 4, 2025.

Rachel Reid the woman that you are!!!! ♡

I saw this and immediately requested it. I read “Time to Shine” early last year and fell in love with Rachel’s writing and her characters. So I was super excited when I got approved, and I’m glad to report that this new standalone is another hit ❤️

The Shots You Take follows our two protagonists Adam and Riley, two hockey superstars whose chemistry on and off the ice lead to the destruction of their lifelong friendship twelve years before.

12 years later, Adam (A now recently divorced and retired NHL legend) and Riley (A now small town plant enthusiast and dog dad) cross paths again at Riley’s dad’s funeral. Riley gave Adam up years ago, completely uninterested in rekindling their friendship (….or anything more) But Adam, having done some serious soul searching in the years since, won’t let Riley slip away so easily.

WOW. This book was so damn good. Rachel Reid writes queer men in such a refreshing light. What really sets her apart from some of the other MM authors I’ve read is her deep explorations into self love and acceptance as a queer person and some of the struggles that gay men face. Especially older queer men.

I melt when reading her books every. single. time. Riley and Adam are some of the most lovable main characters I have read in a while. It was a nice change to read a romance about men in their forties and who have grown up and progressed into adulthood without one another. A particular theme in this story that I wish I saw more often was it’s never too late to claim and embrace yourself for all that you are. Whether that be as a parent or athlete or queer man. Both men really begin to push against the forces that held them back in the past and it was really sweet to follow them on that journey.

Whatever you do, please pick this one up. The Shots You Take is endearing, funny, and sexy. You will fall in love with these characters!

I will be (not so) patiently waiting for Rachel Reids next book :)
A massive thanks to the author, NetGalley, & Harlequin for sending me the ARC in exchange for my honest review ♡

What a beautiful book! If you love Shane and Ilya, then you are going to fall head over heels for Adam and Riley. This is a story about love, grief, sadness, mental health, healing, first loves, and second chances. While hockey plays more of a backseat role in this romance, it's still a a prominent in fixture in both of their lives. This book is so bingeable and I finished it in one sitting! It had me that glued from start to finish. I just love the way Rachel Reid writes, how she weaves such an interesting plot with lovely but flawed characters, and still maintains a level of humor, banter, and spice that make the story so amazing. I definitely recommend this book to everyone! Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Reid, and Harlequin for the ARC of this book.

I loved both Riley and Adam, I was rooting for them from the beginning. You can feel the love and longing from both characters. Rachel did a good job of giving us the flashbacks to the big moments in their relationship. The angst was there and I liked how their relationship progressed once they were reunited. It took Riley time to trust Adam again and that is realistic to me. This is a 4.5 read, I did feel the ending was a bit abrupt but the epilogue did a good job of wrapping up the story and giving us the HEA updates. I also loved that the MMCs were in their forties, it's refreshing to have characters that were older and not in college or first years of the NHL.

The Shots You Take is my second Rachel Reid book and I loved it. I don’t read a lot of ‘second chance’ romances so I was excited to give this one a go.

I love Riley and Adam and I enjoyed that this takes place while they are in their 40s but we get flashbacks of when they were younger.

I flew through this one pretty quickly and will pretty much read anything Rachel Reid writes.

•second chance
•best friends to secret lovers to best friends to strangers to friends to lovers
•comp het
•mental illness
•grief after father’s death

Adam and Riley haven’t spoken in over a decade. Not after the disaster night they won the Cup together that finally tipped Riley over the edge and he requested a trade. Not long after, Riley retired from hockey, returning to his hometown of Avery River. Adam had his captaincy, his wife, and his 2 kids, but he no longer had Riley.

A decade later and Adam arrives in Avery River, divorced, retired, and missing Riley, to attend Riley’s dad’s funeral - a man who was a father figure to himself in early adulthood. Riley wants nothing to do with him, wants him out of Avery River, wants to not be hurt again. But Adam stays. He wants to be there for Riley in every way he can.

In just over a week they go through so many stages, so many discussions they’ve been holding off. They grow and see if there can be a future. One that Riley had always wanted. One that Adam has always been scared of.

This story opens at a funeral, so yeah, it had me crying from page one. Riley is the true heart of this story. He’s been through so much and you’re rooting for his happiness the whole time. Meanwhile, Adam really did Riley dirty in the past, so he had a lot of redemption to earn. By the end, though, I felt for Adam too. 4.5⭐️rounded down.

Rachel Reid always delivers! Her hockey romances are among the most emotionally real in the genre. Usually she is writing about active players, but here she introduces us to two men who are past their NHL careers. The way they handle their very different retirements sets up a lovely, rich, and gripping story.

This is a super sweet and tender second chance romance between two retired NHL hockey players, one of whom is in the middle of deep grief due to the recent loss of his father. The book jumps back and forth in terms of the timeline from their early relationship to the current one. I loved both of these characters, the exploration of loneliness and coming out as a an older person, as well as mental illness and queer community in small towns. Rachel Reid is a brilliant writer and this is another great book from her.