I’ve enjoyed all of Rachel Reid’s books. This one is more serious than her previous books, but that’s not a bad thing. I liked reading about two players who were in their forties. One’s career ended 10 years ago, and the other is at the end of his career. It was refreshing to get their perspectives and not the usual “hotshot at the top of his game” or “struggling player works to improve his game” books that are all too common in hockey romance.

A beautiful story of grief, love, and acceptance. It won’t be for everyone, but if you can handle the heavier content (death of a parent, grief, depression), it’s well worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.

This book is what you wish for when your heart is irrevocably broken. It's the healing process from young love into a love that can endure. It's a heavy story. It starts at Riley's dad's funeral. The emotions are high, and that doesn't lend itself to the best of reunions between Riley and Adam.

Both Riley and Adam have some accountability to how their relationship was when they were young. They didn't communicate well. They hid their feelings from themselves. In Adam's case, he still hadn't come to terms with his sexuality. That's a lot to put on two young men who are living in the macho culture of hockey. The years that have passed since, they are both in their 40's, have given them clarity that they were without in their youth.

There's such deep emotional (and physical) pining. They are drawn to one another. They yearn for the other. They see where they hurt each other in the past. They are aware of their wounds that are still healing. And the background to ALL OF THIS is deep grief over the loss of Riley's dad. I honestly, applaud (and was frustrated by) how slow they took this.

It's a slow burn.

I loved watching these older characters. It gave this story a heaviness, a weight to it that can be missing from characters in their 20's. While Adam is newly "out", he's an established adult. Riley has built a full life for himself in his hometown. We get a deep sense of his community, both his literal family and the people who support him. It's what Adam was missing. He let hockey be his grounding, but didn't create deep relationships outside of it. We also see Adam deal with aches and injuries from hockey. They have to watch out for his shoulder!!! Yes! Bodies get old and they are still sexy.

If you love hockey players, but don't want to see any sports played, this is for you. If you love a deeply emotional second chance, go read it. If you want to see two men who are the other halves of each other, this book will make you whole.

This was a cute second-chance romance with some hockey elements thrown in.

While I enjoyed the story and characters overall, I had some issues with the writing. It oftentimes felt stilted and choppy and the dialogue felt forced at times.

I read a good bit of hockey romance and it was refreshing to read about two guys at the end of their careers and not some young guys just starting out. Riley’s career ended about 10 years before the start of the book and he’s done his self-acceptance and is now the one dealing with grief which isn’t easy to begin with and then Adam shows up and it’s just all the emotions. Adam is dealing with a level of grief himself as his career is ending and he’s at this point of trying to figure out where his place is anymore.

Ried does such a good job of giving us the complicated feelings of both men and flushing them out into full bodied characters. It was so easy to root for them and get fully invested in their story.

The promo was correct, it was hard for me to put this book down.

*3.5 rounded up*

The only sports romances I will read are Ms Rachel Reid's but I oh how I wish the covers weren't what they were (like these men are supposed to be in their 40s and the cover does not give that).

A very endearing a slow burn second chance romance. The Shots You Take is more of a "one room drama" than Time To Shine was so it tends to feel a bit more stagnant at times.

Another hockey romance from Rachel Reid to give you all the feels. Perfect for fans of this series and hockey romances.

Rachel Reid is a go to author from me so signing up for this arc was a no brainer, I would love to see Rachel take a swing at writing a non hockey romance, but overall this was a lovely read that fit well with the rest of her books

This was a really lovely meditation about grief, regret, and second chances. I loved the way Reid allowed her characters to grow up and redeem themselves--especially Adam. This one definitely has a different vibe than Reid's Game Changer series--both main characters are retired and, aside from how it bound them together originally, the hockey background feels somewhat irrelevant. It got me wondering if Reid is working out how to stay on brand with her hockey romances while writing a different type of quieter, non-hockey story she is being drawn to.

I really loved this tender book.

The Shot You Take was my first Rachel Reid book and it is definitely not my last!  Reid was exceptionally detailed in her writing and you could feel everything her characters were feeling. I was really able to connect with both Riley and Adam and it made the flow of the book even more enjoyable.  Each character we meet has their own form of baggage and it was clearly detailed out for the reader. -  Riley and Adam are ex-teammates and former best friends who are given the precious gift of a second chance. If both are willing to be vulnerable with themselves and each other and fully explore the chemistry they are both feeling then a shot at forever after is not out of the question!

I loved every single minute i spent reading this book. This is a beautifully written second chance MLM romance. Every character was fleshed out & necessary and the romance between Reilly and Shep felt real. The portrayal of grief was also very tasteful and well done.

It was sad, hopeful, joyous and sexy all in one. I highly recommend this is any romance reader out there but especially those who enjoy MLM and sports romances.

Thank you!!

🏒Older MCs (40s)
🥅Later in life coming out
🏒Small town
🥅Second chance romance

You wouldn’t know from the cover that this is genuinely a beautiful story about learning to cope with grief. Riley is a mess after his father dies, and his former teammate/roommate/best friend with benefits waltzes back into his life by showing up for the funeral.

The story made me cry no less than four times. It’s not just grief over a father. But grieving the loss of time. The what ifs.

There are some reviews that say what Adam did is unforgivable. But they didn’t see what I saw. The dates of those flashbacks. Was it bad? Sure. But it is realistic. The hockey world can barely handle Luke Prokop being out, and he’s on a minor league team. The NHL tried to ban pride tape and pride nights with custom warmup jerseys like last year. A star hockey player being too scared to realize he’s gay in the early 2000s is realistic.

I thought this was just be a sweet romance between two retired hockey players and it was so much more. This is the type of romance book I love! There is a lot of emotional growth, some humor, and a lot of pining.
Riley's grieving the loss of his dad when an old friend turns up in town. Adam is hoping he is not too late to mend the friendship with Riley that went up in flames 12 years ago. The story is told primarily in the current time, but there was several flashback chapers to give us context for this second change romance.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I will be seeking more from this author in their back catalog.

Riley Tuck moved back to his hometown in Nova Scotia when he gave up his career in the NHL 10 years ago. He also cut all ties with his best friend (occasionally with benefits) Adam Shepard. But when his father passes away suddenly, Adam comes into town to support his grieving friend and try to fix their friendship. Riley reluctantly gives Adam the chance to work on their fractured relationship and finds out that his feelings for Adam were not as unrequited as he thought.

Thoughts
Honestly, the cover of this book made me think this would be just a steamy hockey romance, I was wrong. While there are some spicy scenes, this story was deeper than that. The MMCs navigate grief, mental health issues, navigating how to feel comfortable in your own skin and coming out. It was a beautiful story of accepting yourself and finding your way to who you were meant to be and be with.

This was so fantastic! Thanks so much to Carina Adores and NetGalley for the advance copy of the book.⁣⁣

⁣⁣ The last person Riley was expecting to show up at his father’s funeral was Adam, his former best friend and hockey teammate. Twelve years had passed since they’d seen each other, and the last time they spoke, Riley told Adam he wanted him out of his life.⁣⁣

⁣ What they had was so much more than a friendship. Yes, they shared an immense love for hockey, but their relationship was a physical one as well. And while Riley knew he was in love with Adam, Adam was afraid to acknowledge his feelings. It was easier to pretend it only happened when they were drunk or in the heat of the moment following a game.⁣⁣

⁣⁣ Adam’s arrival in the small town of Avery River, Nova Scotia causes quite a stir. Even though he retired from hockey, he’s still favored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. But his career achievements aren’t nearly as important as trying to help Riley through his grief—and letting him know how much he regretted denying his true feelings when they were younger.⁣⁣

⁣⁣ Not only does Riley have to deal with his grief about his father’s death, but Adam’s return reminds him of the anger and sadness he had tried to put behind him. But he’s never stopped loving Adam, although he tries everything not to allow himself to be vulnerable again.⁣⁣

⁣⁣ I love Rachel Reid and the way her books are fun, emotional, steamy, and heartfelt. What was fantastic about this book was that the main characters are more mature—in their late 30s or early 40s—so there was a gravity to the story that really worked. I loved it!⁣⁣

⁣⁣ The book will publish 3/4/2025.

I fear cis women really need to stop writing gay m/m romance. It just makes me feel off these days when so many marginalized communities arent getting publishing opportunities...

If it’s Rachel Reid, you know there’s going to be hockey and a totally irresistible love story. It was an absolute pleasure to read this ARC of The Shots You Take in exchange for my honest review.

The Shots You Take follows two ex-teammates, Adam and Riley, who have faced a lengthy time apart following a private fall-out, and Riley’s retirement from the sport. The two were once inseparable; now they haven’t spoken in over a decade – long enough for Adam to have a wife and a few teenagers. However, when Riley’s father passes away, Adam is suddenly there, unable to stop himself from showing up, even if it’s to receive quite the un-welcome. Still stung from rejection and embarrassment, Riley isn’t ready to uncover old wounds and explore them now. Yet, this time of grief may be perfect to heal from more than one hurt, and Riley begrudgingly entertains Adam’s visit (if only because he won’t seem to leave).

This second chance romance has everything you’re hoping for: a steamy, feverish past filled with desperation and longing, and a sweet and matured rekindling that feels worthy and like a relief. Riley, damaged by his fear of being left alone again, relies on his faithful dog and his own preoccupation with living up to his late father’s wishes. Adam, knowing better this time, comes in peace and pieces to make things right despite his own unhappiness. A love story always leaves a smile on my face, but there’s something deeper about a second shot. We already know these two idiots love each other, but this is a negotiation, with two hearts on the table and a lot of baggage to sift through. Give it a go; maybe you’ll miss again, but maybe you won’t. Maybe this time you’ll make it together.

This is a second chance romance between two retired hockey players in their 40s. THEIR FORTIES!! I WAS SO FREAKING ECSTATIC FOR THIS!

Riley left hockey and moved back home ten years ago, he’d thought he’d left hockey and the heartbreak he endured there behind. But after Adam shows up at his late father’s funeral it all comes rushing back. They hadn’t seen or spoken in over 10 years and Adam decided it was time to reach back out to Riley now that he’s divorced and finally came to terms with his sexuality. Even though Riley is furious and tells Adam to go back home, Adam persists (with nudging from Riley’s family) and slowly is able to tell Riley what he’d needed to say.

It’s dual pov and has flashbacks to when the two still played hockey together. I enjoy a dual pov in a romance, it makes feelings and motivations more believable. But I think petty me couldn’t understand why Riley forgave Adam. The descriptions of what their “relationship” was like back in their early days of hockey painted Adam as AWFUL. He seemed like a different person in the flashbacks. But I suppose that’s what 20 years of life can do to a person?

Overall the story and Riley with his dog Lucky won me over enough to give this book a 4 star rating. The characters have heart, I could believe these were all real people they didn’t come off a caricatures, I love a second chance romance, I love romances with characters over 30, it was steamy and even though I could never forgive someone for laughing at me when I told them I loved them, he was sweet and attentive and did things to change and be a good partner. The dialog between Riley and Adam had a lot of one liners that I chalked up to them being 40 year old dudes. That’s how they just talk. But there were declarations of love as well.

I love the idea of someone coming out later in life (probably because that was me) I just wish his younger self hadn’t been such an ass and jerked Riley around. Some of the flashbacks when Adam had a big reaction after they were intimate were hard to stomach. Not to mention how all of his younger encounters were laced with alcohol. (Him making a point to be sober around Riley to show him he was actually in it was something I really did like.) I didn’t like the “5 years later” epilogue. I just don’t like those. Maybe like 20 years or more? I dunno, just not my favorite story point.

I have read many Rachel Reid books and plan to read many more. I enjoyed this one a lot. I liked that it was different in that the main characters are retired hockey players, but there was still the right amount of hockey tied in. I enjoyed how the flashbacks were included. Riley had built himself a pretty perfect life in his little town, and I loved reading about it. Although he was grieving, there was still so much peace and tranquillity built through his surroundings and community. I am rating this book four stars because I enjoyed it very much but it is hard for me to fully embrace "wasted time" plots, and it was hard for me to let go of all bitterness for Adam's character.

Gah this book is so good - so so good. So angsty and so raw and has some of my very favorite features in contemporary romance.
- Both MCs are older (in their 40s)
- Second chance romance with dual timelines and dual POV (chef’s kiss combination)
- A beautiful depiction of grief and family dynamics
- No third act breakup but well crafted conflict as these two figure things out

I loved Adam and Riley so much I would have read another 100 pages of this book. The pacing was great and the dual POV really helps us see how both of them grow. I wanted just a smidge more between the last chapter and epilogue but overall I really enjoyed this one!

Content flags: parental death; Adam is divorced; some brief references to homophobic behavior

I voluntarily read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I liked this second chance sports romance. I liked how it touched lightly on mental health. And I liked seeing how Adam and Riley were with each other years ago and watch them grow together years later.