I legitimately squealed like a little girl when this ARC opportunity dropped in my inbox.

Genuine question, who wouldn't want to read a romance novel from Rachel Reid after the works of art that were "Heated Rivalry" (a case study in the PERFECT enemies to lovers in my opinion) and the sequel "The Long Game" (a case study in how a second book released after a beloved initial book can stand on its own and deliver at the same level as the first).

I know it might seem like I'm fan-girling and I probably should play it cool so you can take this review seriously but those two books I just mentioned? Go read them and come tell me I'm exaggerating. I dare you 🤣🤣

Skipping right along to this, I had HIGH expectations. A bit unfair to this poor book but blame this author, she's spoiled me so I expect nothing but the best with these kind of novels. So, did the book deliver? Absolutely. From the very first page.

Riley and Adam are introduced as estranged friends/lovers who had a falling out because of Adam's shenanigans in the past and all the associated heartache & pain that caused all around.

Of course, I was firmly "Team Riley" because my boy had been done bad but that frigging Adam had a way of worming his way into ones psyche so much so that halfway though this, I was rooting for them to get together. Shocker.lol

In fact, I gobbled it up in one sitting and by the time I got to the last chapter, I was NOT ready to let these men go because at the very heart of this book were two soul mates finding their way back to each other (with a healthy dose of grovelling / making up involved which I appreciated 🤭)

If you are a fan of mature MCs, second chance romance and a story that will have you grinning like a loon by the end, pick this book up. You will not regret it.

I'm a huge fan of Rachel Reid's 'Game Changers' series, so I was expecting a lighthearted, very spicy hockey romance. That is not what this book is.

This story is heavier than Rachel Reid's other books. And not as spicy (BUT there is some towards the end- and it is GOOD).

(A disclaimer: this is the first time I've read any of Rachel Reid's books as an ARC, and the first time I read a digital copy rather than listening to the audio).

The story opens with Riley grieving at his father's funeral, following a sudden, unexpected passing. And Adam shows up after more than a decade of being out of Riley's life. Riley's emotions are thrown into a storm from the loss and the return of someone who broke his heart. But Adam, throughout the story, is determined to prove to Riley that he is in love with him and can be the partner he was too scared to be all those years ago.

Like all of Reid's stories, this book is engaging, difficult to put down, and brings the characters to life. I enjoyed reading it. However, I felt myself questioning the dynamic of Riley and Adam quite a bit. Adam was HORRIBLE to Riley (who, we find out, has an emotion regulating disorder and is affected by this emotional torment more than the average person might be. This emotional torment is very clear, and I think his negative reactions to Adam are portrayed very well). While Adam is trying to win Riley back over I just kept thinking to myself- "Isn't this love-bombing?" While Adam's heart is in the right place now and he means well, is this way he is showing adoration to Riley sustainable?? While we see Adam's POV and his love and intentions are clearly good, I was so scared for Riley's emotional safety the whole time. Riley and Adam's chemistry (particularly in the past) made me root for them; but if this was real life and Riley was a friend of mine, I would be horrified at him for forgiving Adam. Towards the end and in the epilogue, we do see them happy and healthy down the road. Maybe I'm just not a fan of second chance romances?

Again, this is an engaging read and I still enjoyed it. It is cozy, the scenery is beautiful (and a part of me was still hoping for their HEA!). Also, Lucky was a wonderful addition to the story :)

Can't wait to read what's next from Reid!!

Actual rating: 3.5 stars
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*I received an ARC from HarperCollins, Harlequin - Romance, Carina Adores & NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*
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The Hockey gays are back! Did you love Time to Shine? Well throw your dreams of golden retriever energy out the window because today Rachel Reid is here to HURT you. Her latest novel centres Riley, a retired major league hockey player, grieving the loss of his father, and Adam, Riley’s ex-teammate and messy as all heck closeted ex-lover, decides what better time to try and rekindle his relationship with Riley! Spoilers, not the best time. But dammit if Adam doesn’t try.
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Both of these men are raw and wounded with emotion, which does not lead to the best communication between the pair. They end up hurting each other far more than either expected to before slowly being able to truly open up to each other.
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This is a much heavier story than I’ve read from Reid before, and I think some readers won’t be in the head space to read such a raw and what feels like a personal story. I can’t say that I ended up rooting for Riley and Adam, but I was eventually glad to see them reach milestones in their relationship.
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If you love the messy gays with a good dose of emotional pain, this one is for you.
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Hisses & Kisses 🐍

Rachel Reid’s brand is writing m/m hockey romances. And this book continues to show why she is the best at what she does. Avery River has retired from a stellar hockey career and is destined for the NHL Hall of Fame. He is also a divorced, father of two, co-parenting with his ex who he is on good terms with. As the story opens he travels to a small town in Nova Scotia for the funeral of the father of his one time team mate and best friend, Riley Tuck. The two haven’t seen each other for ten years. Riley’s career didn’t last as long and he has been working for his father at the small sporting goods store he owned.

This book beautifully shows Avery as someone who has come out late in his life. He can’t regret his kids but he does regret that he couldn’t own up to his sexuality years ago. And Riley is a big regret from his past. The story is fleshed out with flashbacks to when they were magic on ice together and roommates in their early days in Toronto. The funeral and grief happening in the story bring on a feeling of melancholy. There is sadness and regret but this is not a sad story. This is getting a friendship and possible love of your life back. And the coming together is done in small ways, helping at the store, showing up with coffee and pastries. I love the honest conversations between the two.

I really enjoyed this mature second chance romance and can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you very much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC!

The Shots You Take follows Riley an ex-professional hockey player who is at his father’s funeral and sees Adam, his ex-best friend. We find out that they used to play professional hockey together and made out a few times before Riley quit hockey and dropped off the map. Riley took their relationship more seriously and told Adam he loved him but Adam laughed it off. Riley quit hockey because his mental health was not doing well, partially because he was in unrequited love with Adam, who at the time was married to a woman. Adam stays in town to help Riley as he grieves. This book follows them as they navigate their past, Adam’s realization that he’s gay and has been in love with Riley all this time, and Riley navigates his mental health and grief of losing his father. Such a great story would definitely recommend!

There’s no denying that Rachel Reid knows how to craft a beautifully written story, and The Shots You Take is no exception. The way she captures grief and forgiveness in this book feels deeply authentic. Rachel made you reflect on the complexities of healing and second chances.

I also appreciated that the main characters were older, with more life experience shaping their choices. It added layers to their journey that felt refreshing. But as much as I could acknowledge the depth of their connection, I found myself hesitant to root for them. Forgiveness is powerful, but it doesn’t always mean someone should be welcomed back into your life the same way they once were. That dynamic made the slow burn of their romance feel even heavier—realistic, but definitely frustrating at times.

That said, while I personally would have liked more intimacy on the page, I understand why it unfolded the way it did. The relationship needed to be rebuilt piece by piece, and the pacing of that emotional work made sense. Even though I didn’t love the couple, I can’t deny that their story had its impactful moments.

When this drops, read it and let me know your thoughts!

I have mixed feelings about this second chance romance!

First, the good. It was very easy reading, I sat down and basically read it all in one sitting which I haven’t done in a long time. I loved the vibes of the second chance romance. Adam definitely wronged Riley in the past but he did show up to be there for Riley after Riley’s dad passed away. He did try to make amends,and he didn’t give up even when Riley tried to push him away. I loved Riley’s family & friends, and the small town setting is always a fave. I really really liked Riley, his grief journey was great and he just seemed like a great dude. I also appreciated the mental health rep!

Adam, however, I liked a lot less. The way he treated Riley in the past was atrocious and it made me physically cringe every time there was a flashback scene. It made me like Riley less for forgiving Adam, because Adam didn’t deserve to be forgiven.

Overall though, I still enjoyed it despite how much I disliked one of the MMCs.

Oh my goodness- 5 stars is just not an adequate amount to give this book…maybe 50? This book will very easily fall into my top 10 books of 2025. Riley and Adam’s story is one that will stay with me for a long time- I found myself rushing through tasks just so I had time to sit and savor this book!
While Riley is grieving the sudden loss of his beloved father Adam shows up after 12 long years of not speaking. One would think 12 years would diminish their connection, but their emotional and physical connection was palpable and literally leapt off the page. One of the aspects of this book I enjoyed the most was the main character's ages. They are in their 40’s and were playing professional hockey during the early 2000’s. While it wasn’t uncommon for people to be ‘out’ it wasn’t as common in athletes. Books like The Shots You Take really give readers a look into lives that are impacted by society condemning others for living their authentic selves, while also showing us how beautiful their lives can be when they live the life that brings them happiness, joy, and love. While friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, this one is so very special. Their journey from friends to lovers, having a relationship in secret and ultimately living their lives apart really broke me. There were so many times I had to stop just because I couldn’t read through the tears. Tears that were so needed as they poured their hearts out to one another.
The raw emotion that Riley so bravely showed made my whole body ache for him. This man loved so deep, raw and with his whole soul, and Adam is the lucky one to be on the receiving end. After leaving professional hockey, seeking help for mental illnesses and stopped drinking he has been enjoying a quiet and simple life in his charming home town on the coast of Nova Scotia. Riley has filled his life with eclectic things, hobbies, people, and of course his amazingly sweet companion, Lucky. While some might look at his life as simple he loves the life and home he has created ... .but he is lonely and was lacking a partner to spend time with. I think he knew his heart always belonged to Adam.
While Adam is a little more outwardly reserved it was clear he loves Riley just as deeply and was also impacted by their years of separation. While Adam’s life brought him more fame, money, and hockey accolades, his private life was vastly different from Riley’s. His life really centered around hockey, so when that came to an end he needed to evaluate his life. I also felt for Adam he made choices and lived life according to others and while it brought a lot of joy, it also caused a lot of pain. I appreciated how Adam owned his part of the fall of he and Adam’s friendship and worked hard to show his love for Riley.
Riley and Adam simply were made for one another. Adam brought Riley out of his shell and loved him exactly the way he is; where Riley showed Adam how they could live their lives together and be happy.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t fantasize about moving to Avery River becoming Riley’s neighbor, worming myself into being their BFF so we could sit out on our decks staring out to the sea drinking our coffee, eating cinnamon rolls all in matching silky robes. Avery River is an absolute gem of a town, they love their neighbors and friends, are obsessed with hockey and support one another in their time of need. It was the absolute perfect backdrop for Riley and Adam’s story to wrap up, it is where both of them feel at home. If you loved Game Changer, Heated Rivalry or The Long Game you need to read this book! Rachel Reid definitely has written another stand out novel.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! Rachel Reid delivers a heartfelt, emotional second-chance romance that truly hits the mark. Riley’s struggles with grief and mental health are depicted with care, adding depth to his journey and making his reconnection with Adam even more rewarding. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension from their past makes their love story all the more compelling. Rachel Reid proves once again why she’s one of the best in the hockey romance genre.

The Shots You Take was a beautiful book. I absolutely loved it. The characters had such depth and made me love them. I’m such a fan of Rachel Reid and will definitely keep reading whatever she releases in the future!

When Adam goes back to Riley’s home town, all he wants is to win back the trust of the man who seems to not leave his mind, but fears it will never happen after the way they left things. The chemistry is the one thing that has stayed consistent between them-no matter how much they want to deny it.

While navigating grief, long-buried feelings start to resurface, but for a chance at a new beginning-they must face the demons and mistakes of their pasts.

If you want an angsty, emotional, and spice hockey romance, the shots you take is the book for you. I’m not typically into second chance romance, but this completely captivated me. Seeing a couple in their 40s is refreshing, and I loved the flashbacks from their past! The growth and communication of the main characters is gorgeous, along with the descriptions of grief and internalized homophobia.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC!

Oh my gosh!!! The Shots You Take absolutely FLOORED me in the best type of way. I loved everything about this book. The pacing, and the feelings between Rile and Adam. MY GOSH! This whole book had me in a chokehold and it was just so relatable. Also, my kingdom for Gen X MCs. The Shots Yiou Take was worth me reading past my bedtime and will definitely be going in the comfort & reread pile.

Thank you to Harlequin Books and NetGalley for this e-arc!

Two ex-NHL teammates, a messy past, and a grief plot line make this second chance romance a truly gut wrenching and moving story.

I absolutely adore Rachel Reid and knew she’d serve us yet again!!! Riley and Adam have such a sordid past filled with real and raw emotional turmoil yet I ended up rooting for both of them given perspective. This book also follows a grief plot line for one of our boys and it kept hitting me in the gut, but not overwhelmingly. I think one of Reid’s true talents lies in bringing real hockey to the page - you can tell she’s an NHL fan (which is usually a miss in a lot of other hockey romances out there). I appreciate this about Reid as an NHL fan myself. So I definitely wish we got more flashbacks in this book to their hockey days!! Overall though I thought this was a touching book with lots of charm and tenderness which I love to see in my roms 🫶🏼

Pick this one up if you’re into MM, older main characters, character growth, and second chance romances!!

4 ⭐️

P.S. no one does hockey romance like Rachel Reid!!

I loved the two main characters and how this book approached grief. It was realistic and didn’t sugar coat it.

This book was heartbreakingly lovely, but folks who are looking for a light and fluffy hockey romance should look elsewhere. The book itself kicks off at Riley's father's funeral in small town Nova Scotia, and the book heavily deals with the grief of a loss of a beloved father both for Riley but also for his family and his community as a whole. On this, one of the worst days of Riley's life, his former best friend-with-benefits, Adam, appears and puts them on a trajectory of reconnection. Adam, newly retired, divorced, and coming to terms with his homosexuality just wants another chance with his former best friend. The story is a beautiful second chance romance of them working through their past and coming together to head into a beautiful future.

I will say, as someone who loves a lot of hockey in my hockey romance, this book was not my favorite of the Rachel Reid books, but if you like your books light on hockey this is definitely for you. It was great in terms of highlighting the importance of community, and the working through of trauma. I did wish we got a little more of the things brushed over in the epilogue and less of the dance of them getting back together, but this is absolutely personal preference not a knock on the book itself.

YES RACHEL!

Thank you for the arc opportunity. It was a somewhat slow burn with some flashbacks. But I love a good MM romance and this did not disappoint.

The relationship between Riley and Adam is sweet and precious. I do love that the story is partly in a small town and mentions Toronto where I’m from and I think it’s funny that way.

The spice is about 2.5/5 but the story is just sweet and I had a hard time putting it down.

This is an angsty, beautifully written romance with a dual timeline. It includes themes of grief.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Overall this book was okay, it wasn’t bad but I also didn’t love it. I didn’t love the middle aged men vibe and the timeline for the relationship bothered me. I think it’s the jumping back and forth in time not being in order. I wish it was more part 1 is their youth and then a part 2 for being older (my personal opinion). I did think that their chemistry was well written though, so I’m giving it a solid 3 stars.

There is something special about a second chance romance, between older MC. Getting to know Riley And Adam was emotional. I was so invested in Riley’s HEA, watching him struggle and pick himself up and despite the hurt and pain and the fear, he made the choice to try and that is so unbelievable brave.

Now I’m going to be honest I wanted Riley to throw Adam out on his A** how dare he hurt him, how dare he be negligent with his heart but he grew on me and getting to understand his side and point of view softened me somewhat and I also needed to remember that this happened in his youth. The way he was there for him and didn’t give up in the end that is what matters.

defending adam sheppard online isn’t enough. i need a gun. listen, i get it — my guy pulled some absolutely crazy shit back in the day! the setup for this second chance romance was wild, i admit: a friends with benefits arrangement ending because of a love confession (and one of them subsequently laughing in the other’s face) is nasty work. NASTY work. but stay with me here, because rachel reid does what many authors struggle with in their relationships and actually takes the time to develop their forgiveness arc.

to me, i feel like that’s one of the strongest parts of the book. riley’s forgiveness is hard-won, and adam puts in time, patience, and effort to apologize for his past actions. i understand why some of the things he did are unforgivable for some readers, but at the same time, i feel a lot of empathy for his situation. to a lesser degree, i’ve been there! denying something that’s such a large part of yourself can slowly destroy you from the inside out, and it’s not as easy as people think to just snap your fingers and accept yourself as you are. it took me years and years to come to terms with the fact that i liked women, and even longer to accept the fact that i was a lesbian; i can’t imagine how hard it must be to do the same in the environment adam was in. he was wrong to do what he did, but i understand him, just as i understand exactly why riley was so hesitant to forgive him. it’s called nuance, people! i feel like that’s part of what makes this such a compelling narrative to me.

anyway, i digress. i personally really enjoyed reading this, but i leaned into the angst and embraced the humanity of making life changing mistakes. i even cried a couple of times! rachel reid does such a good job of showing the tragedy of what they missed while still holding a lot of hope for their future. life isn’t over in your 40s — take notes, my 22 year old friends who think i have one foot in the grave at 27! it felt more serious overall than some of her works, but i loved it. i’ve read every single one of her books and i already look forward to whatever comes next :)