DNF at 17%

Thanks for the opportunity to read this. I’ve heard a lot of great things about this author and I love seeing queer books thrive, but unfortunately this just wasn’t for me.

I didn’t like the writing style or the characters. This felt very teen drama to me.

My goodness, The Shots You Take was a wonderful read.

After an emotional breakup twelve years ago, ex-NHL players Riley and Adam finally reconnect in Riley’s small Nova Scotia town following Riley’s family tragedy. Despite having taken a leading role their breakup all those years ago, Adam dedicates his time to supporting Riley in this time of need, hoping to rebuild their relationship over time despite a frosty initial reception by Riley.

Rachel Reid does a fantastic job in making Adam and Riley’s eventual rapprochement feel well-earned. In particular, I liked that even though Adam knows how badly he left things with Riley years ago, and he sees how much ground he needs to cover now, he is committed to doing everything Riley will let him do in order to earn back his trust and affection. I feel like this book showed us the perfect balance of characters atoning for the past as well as enjoying the present and looking ahead to a promising future; the story was well-balanced and the characters were served well by the narrative choices made over the course of the book. There was genuine hurt behind their breakup twelve years earlier which was not overlooked or magicked away in The Shots You Take, and Adam and Riley really put the work in to repair their relationship over the course of this book. This is definitely a well-earned happily-ever-after.

My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance/Carina Adores for providing this book for review consideration; all opinions above are my own, and I loved the book so much that I have already pre-ordered my own copy.

The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid is a stand alone, MM, hockey romance. I just this minute finished this book and right now am overflowing with ALL the feels. That last chapter was so sweet, I suspect I might have a bit of a book hangover the next few days. I can say without a doubt that these two men are going to live for a very long time in my heart. The first half of the book was pretty emotional I have to admit while they navigated their past history. But the entire second half I feel like was filled with hope for their future. I really do love this book so much!

Adam Sheppard and Riley Tuck were hockey teammates when they were in their twenties in Toronto. They were also roommates both in their apartment and when they traveled. Riley knew he was gay at that time but kept it a secret. Riley was also secretly in love with Adam. They were together all the time and eventually developed a secret friends with benefits situation which in Adam’s mind was just for fun. Until he began dating a woman, married her and started a family. Riley eventually left Toronto for another team and they haven’t seen each other in twelve years.

In the present, they are both now in their forties, which I loved. When Riley has a family tragedy, Adam shows up in Avery River, Nova Scotia, Riley’s home town, to support him. Riley can’t understand why Adam has turned up after all the years and bad feelings between them. But Adam is persistent. He is there to help, even though Riley keeps trying to push him away. Adam wants to put things right between them once and for all.

With the emotional upheaval of Riley’s grief, and having Adam there which is bringing back all the emotions he spent twelve years trying to bury, it is overwhelming. But Adam proves over and over that he is there for him. Slowly, truths come out and old feelings resurface. Adam is determined to do things right this time. He is determined that he will earn Riley’s trust and heart. Riley’s heart slowly softens and he starts to let Adam back in but their time is limited. Adam has to go back to Toronto. Riley’s home is in Avery River. What could any future for them even look like?

Throughout the story, we get little glimpses into their pasts which helps us to understand their feelings for each other in the present. I just loved these two so much. Their pain was so big but their love for one another even bigger. And they were both so brave. Riley had been through so much but he did what he had to do to be healthy. And Adam might have been too scared when they were young to figure out his truths, but I loved the way he owned up to everything as the man he is now. The epilogue pretty much slayed me and as I said before, I’ll be thinking about these two for a very long time.

Such a great m/m hockey romance! We have later in life recogniciation of first love, and mental health rep, all wrapped up in a story of overcoming grief and queer joy.

The characters were well developed, there’s a strong case of secondary characters, a cute dog, and an idyllic setting.

Fans of any of Rachel Reid’s other stories will love this one too!

Another hit from a fav Canadian author!! This latest M/M sports romance features two former hockey teammates and best friends who are reunited in Nova Scotia after one's father dies.

Startled when Adam shows up at his father's funeral, Riley never expected his first love and the man who broke his heart want to stick around and reconcile for past mistakes. Newly out as gay, Adam is still coming to terms with his sexuality and what his life will look like after hockey as a divorced father of teens. I so shipped Adam and Riley and loved that we got to see them when they were younger through flashbacks.

There was also excellent mental health (addiction, alcohol abuse and depression) in the book and the author does a great job highlighting the darker sides of hockey and how that can get exacerbated and ignored when players need help. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Sarina Bowen. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I loved The Shots You Take! I don’t typically reach for angsty books, but the specific angst in this book was just what I needed right now. I feel like second chance romances inherently encompass some grief in a way, but the grief in this was varied and layered and both Riley and Adam worked hard to get through it. Riley was grieving the loss of his dad, and he and Adam both were grieving the past, the different choices that they wish they’d made, the time missed with each other, and the life they could’ve been having together now.

While I’m not exactly in their shoes I know all too well about making choices when you’re younger that in hindsight you’d probably do differently, and wishing that past you could’ve been a little smarter, a little braver. At 41, I think that readers near or over Riley and Adam’s age will relate a lot to this feeling, at least I know that I do, of being a bit haunted for years by decisions you made in your youth because they seemed right at the time. I love that this is in dual pov because we get to see them navigate these feelings and actually communicate this time around.

This was so good - it’s a Rachel Reid book, so that’s no surprise - and probably the only hockey romance that I loved that had next to no hockey (a must usually!). Riley’s 12 years removed from his hockey career and Adam is recently retired, so while the sport shaped their lives it no longer controls it as much. I love that Rachel’s books don’t ignore the mental health of her characters and that this book didn’t shy away from the mostly brushed aside aspects of giving your body and mind over to a sport, that Adam’s busted shoulder was basically a side character and that Riley was open about his mental health and was vulnerable with Adam even after so much time apart.

While it’s easy to mourn the time they spent apart, it does come with the gift of getting to relearn each other, of getting to know and fall in love with a newer, slightly different version of the other, too. Being able to fall in love with each other again sounds like a gift indeed.

A Slow-Burning Reunion Packed with Angst, Heat, and Emotional Gut Punches

Rachel Reid’s The Shots You Take pulls you in from the very first page, hitting you with an emotional gut punch as Riley Tuck grapples with the loss of his father. The grief is palpable, and just when Riley is at his lowest, in walks Adam Sheppard—his former teammate, ex-fuck buddy, and the man he hasn’t seen in over a decade. Adam’s sudden return is like a match thrown onto a pile of unresolved feelings, guilt, and simmering attraction, reigniting a fire Riley thought had long burned out.

Told through dual perspectives, the novel gives readers a deep dive into both men’s emotions and past regrets. While the angsty slow burn is undeniably satisfying, there’s a lot of time spent in Riley’s head—his grief, his resentment toward Adam, and his complicated relationship with hockey. However, his struggles with mental health sometimes feel like they take a backseat to his anger, making certain emotional beats feel disconnected from the rest of the story. Similarly, while the flashbacks add depth to Riley and Adam’s history, the transitions between past and present could have been smoother to maintain the story’s flow.

Adam, on the other hand, is dealing with his own personal crisis. Fresh off a divorce and reeling from the rejection of his two teenage kids—who resent him for prioritizing his hockey career—he’s drowning in regret, guilt, and imposter syndrome. Years of repressing his sexuality, forcing himself into the mold of the “perfect” straight athlete, have left him untethered, questioning everything about his past and who he truly is. His return to Riley isn’t just about offering comfort; it’s a desperate attempt to find stability and connection in a life that suddenly feels hollow.

And let’s talk about the steam—because when Rachel Reid delivers, she delivers. The tension builds and builds, making you ache for that eventual release. But the wait is long, relying mostly on teasing flashbacks before we finally get the payoff. Once Riley lets his walls down, though? The chemistry is undeniable, and the spice is absolutely worth the anticipation.

Overall, The Shots You Take is an emotional, angsty, and steamy ride that delivers Reid’s signature HEA with plenty of heat. While a few tweaks could have made it an even stronger read, it’s still an engaging romance that fans of her work won’t want to miss. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. And will I be diving into more of Rachel Reid’s books? Without question—because she knows exactly how to leave readers craving more.

Thank you Harlequin - Carina Adores, Rachel Reid, and NetGalley for this eARC!!

I really really enjoyed this! Very well written and with wonderful characters that were very fleshed out and engaging to read about. The repeated time jumps are not my favorite structure of story telling however I think it was very well used here and though it’s not my favorite way to read a story it wasn’t so tiresome that I didn’t want to keep reading. Overall, a great book that I definitely confidently recommend

Rachel Reid writes beautiful, heartwarming hockey romances that get me every time. That this one is a second chance romance between former best friends and teammates makes it even more special. Professional male athletes, especially hockey players, are “liars” as Adam says. They lie about their pain, their mental illness and addictions, and, sometimes, their sexuality as well. Reid gently explores the pressure to “man up” in this story, with Adam denying his love for and attraction to Riley for over two decades. In the process, he hurt Riley deeply and himself as well. It isn’t until two years into retirement that he reconnects with Riley at his father’s funeral, and it’s anything but smooth sailing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the way these two navigate their second chance, with honesty, humility, forgiveness, and a good deal of steaminess. The choice of a dual point of view really helps to round out the relationship. I highly recommend this beautiful soulmates’ love story.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Carina Adores through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Rachel Reid has done it again! Riley and Adam hooked me right from the start and kept me late into the night. Their story is very angsty, and Riley's emotional turmoil had me feeling all the feels, and Adam also got me right in the soft spots. This second chance romance blew me away because it showed glimpses of their past - the good times and the bad - juxtaposed with their fraught reunion and slow progress forward. I liked that Adam was careful and patient, and that he really wanted to make sure Riley wasn't spiraling after the death of his father. Likewise, even though Riley is hurting and angry, he still cares for Adam and doesn't want to see him in pain. It's a lot and at times I thought, how is this going to work out? Their love story is like one of Riley's lovingly tended crops - needing care, time, and attention to truly flourish. Romance aside, I also loved the Nova Scotia small town setting and all of Riley's friends. It was wonderful to see the way that his hometown accepted all of him and made him feel welcome. There's not much on the page hockey play because the characters are retired, but the weight of their careers is in everything they do, especially Adam. I like that they talk about the impact playing pro hockey has had on them, physically and mentally. I loved every minute with these characters, even when they were hurting me with their feelings!

Second chances
Grief
Dual timeline
Groveling
Slow burn
MCs in their 40s



Adam and Riley, best friends and teammates in the NHL, through a series of events Riley had to make the choice to cut Adam out and ends up ghosting him for 12 years. We learn the reason why in flashbacks

The story starts with Adam coming to Riley’s hometown after learning Riley’s dad, a beloved member of the community (who was also important to Adam), passes away and tries to reconnect with Riley. Riley is furious when Adam shows up, even though it’s been 12 years every emotion floods to the surface and Riley isn’t ready to deal with it.

The slow pace of the romance was perfect, anything else would have felt too fast. These two had issues that needed to be worked out while dealing with their own struggles. I loved how genuine and messy their story felt. It was an Angsty and emotionally fueled journey.

I found this to be very different from any of her other books. The way Reid wrote about depression, grief and the discussion of mental health, addiction and sexuality within sports was very thoughtfully and honestly done.

A gay hockey romance? Sign me up. I don’t know what it is about gay romance stories and hockey, but they seem to go together like cheese and crackers. I can’t seem to get enough or stay away. I loved the books Heated Rivalry and The Long Game, so I knew going into this book that I was going to love it and I was not disappointed.

"Someday, Riles. You and me, sitting in a hot spring, watching the northern lights."

Characters: 4⭐
Plot: 3.5⭐
Writing Style: 4.5⭐
Enjoyment: 4⭐
Overall rating: 4⭐

What to expect? The Shots You Take is a classic Rachel Reid book. It follows Riley and Adam, two former hockey teammates both now middle aged. This is a second chance romance, it's a story of redemption, regret and learning to accept yourself.

Things I loved?
🔸 I loved the writing, I loved the characters and the beauty of this story. There isn't much I didn't love.
🔸 But a real stand out for me was that this was dual POV and the inner monologues were so so so well written.
🔸 And I loved that we got a few flashback chapters, these were highlights for me.

What could be improved?
🔸 I don't think this book dove far enough into the characters and the incredibly complicated pasts they have. Reid breezed over a lot that I thought needed to be aired out. I don't think the two mmc's really sat down for an in depth conversation. Most of the conversation and growth that happens is internal and not spoken aloud.

Books recs if you liked this one?
🔸 Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid. This is by far Reids best book. I don't think anything will ever top this read. It's certainly my favorite hockey romance. It's similarly about two hockey players, it's enemies to lovers and it has all the angst and tension of The Shots You Take.

Would I recommend this book? A million times yes!

A beautifully told second chance romance by hockey queer romance superstar who deserves all the praise she gets. The depiction of grief is so well portrayed and well written in this book. The redemption arc for Adam really tugs at your heartstrings, he tries so hard to earn back Riley's trust and love. And Riley is such a sweetheart with a big heart and big emotions. You get quickly attached to both characters and root for them to get their happily ever after.

This was sooo good. It might've dethroned Heated Rivalry as my favorite of Reid's books that l've read. A really lovely second chance romance. Reid doesn't skate over the difficult ending of their friendship, and it makes their reconnection so much more compelling. I really just loved Adam and Riley so much by the end. I would read like a hundred more pages about them!

Spoilers below:

I think this is the best second chance romance l've read. Riley's heartbreak was believable, and I loved how he didn't immediately forgive Adam just because he wanted him now. Adam has to actually work for Riley's trust, and it was so sweet watching that unfold.
Absolutely loved Adam's journey of acknowledging he's gay finally in his forties. Their situation is messy, and Reid doesn't shy away from it.

A heartbreakingly beautiful romance from one of my favorite authors! I was nervous to start this one, as second chance romances aren't always my thing, but I shouldn't have doubted Rachel Reid. I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet.
I cannot wait to read this again. 10/10

4.5 stars

If you’re looking for an angsty second-chance romance that ends with all the squishy feelings, look no further. There is a lot to unpack in the relationship Riley and Adam have had through the years and, after not talking for over a decade, it’s time for them to finally face the past and what they were to each other. It’s terrible timing as Riley’s father just died and they were very close. He’s grieving hard when the man who broke his heart shows back up in his life.

Some may say Adam didn’t grovel enough to deserve having Riley back in his life. At times I was concerned about the same thing. Yet, as the story progressed and Riley found forgiveness in his heart, it was Riley who won me over to Adam’s side. Once he let go of his anger, he understood the scared young man Adam had been all those years ago.

Riley spiraled and ended his hockey career early when things fell apart with his best friend. It’s hard to be in love with someone, spend almost every waking moment with them, and watch them immersed in their family life. He had to give himself distance, and once he did that he couldn’t fool himself any longer so finally went home to his small town to live a quiet life. A life in which he has thrived.

Not only do Riley and Adam have to forgive the past and speak the truth about what really happened all those years ago, but they also need to figure out if they can even fit into each other’s lives. They both have things that keep them in their respective cities that cannot be easily given up. I had the hardest time with that…worrying about Adam’s kids. Although it’s a well-known fact that teenagers want nothing to do with their parents, I wish they were brought into the conversation more. As a mom, I wanted the acknowledgment of how important they were to Adam to be more than it was. I was so relieved when he finally expressed that he could never regret having them so couldn’t regret the direction his life took.

This author’s stories always pull me in and grip me tight. I knew there would be a light at the end of the tunnel for this couple, but she put me through an emotional wringer before they got there.

This story was a cute read for my first hockey romance book. It features two retired hockey players and focuses on a second-chance romance. I loved Riley right from the start. Although Adam initially seemed like a complete jerk, he ultimately redeemed himself by the end of the book. The emotional growth in the story was well executed. The transitions between the past, where the reader could feel Riley's pain and heartbreak, and the present, which showcased Adam's changes and emotional growth, were done perfectly. However, I wish there had been more emphasis on hockey throughout the story but I enjoyed Riley and Adam getting a second chance on love.

Thank you to NetGallery and to Harlequin - Romance | Carina Adores for my copy.

3.5 stars

I loved Riley and Adam! Their relationship was so sweet. 🥹 However, there were big chunks of the book where I was sort of bored. And the end seemed rushed to me.

I am still getting over my Onyx Storm hangover so that may be part of the problem. 😅

Thanks to Harlequin & NatGalley for the ARC!

I want to start off by saying there’s nothing wrong with this novel. All of my complaints are about personal preference, not the actual quality of the book. If you like all of the tropes and storytelling structure used, it’s a great novel.

This story goes back and forth in time quite a bit in order to fill the reader in on the character’s backstory. I did appreciate that these were always sectioned off by chapter – we never went back and forth in one chapter. Despite this, I hate when stories do this. I know why it was used, but it really throws me off and I feel like I can’t flow with the story because we keep popping around in time.

I also don’t enjoy the hate to love trope, and this one included some really difficult relationship history between the characters as well. This is a well-loved trope, but I don’t really enjoy it. Their history was so heavy that it wasn’t particularly pleasant for me to read. I don’t personally enjoy that much strife between love interests.

This story did cover some really heavy topics, and I feel like it did a good job in this regard. Both main characters had a number of problems to deal with on different levels, and the discussion around those things and how they (eventually) dealt with them were great.

I enjoyed this book, but I didn’t like it as much as I wanted to. I’ve read most (all?) of Rachel Reid’s other M|M hockey romance and liked them, and am happy to read more in the future. This one, unfortunately, just had a lot of elements that I don’t particularly enjoy.