This story is a beautiful depiction of grief and how it can affect relationships with yourself and others. The characters are complex and we're allowed to see them grow apart and reunite over time. The flashbacks offer perfect context and depth to their emotional connection, pain, and love. Ultimately, the writing is wonderful and Rachel Reid proves she can craft an emotionally charged love story. This can be a tough read for some as Adam's past actions are monstrous. I'm not completely sure I would be able to forgive his actions.

I was praying to the book gods that I would receive an ARC of this one and I pretty much cried when I got the approval.

Rachel Reid is a tried and true author for me. Not only is she Canadian, but she writes about queer characters and their love stories and does a beautiful job at the same time. While Time to Shine fell a little flat for me, The Shots You Take came for me and it came swinging! Riley and Adam were best friends - and maybe something more - when Adam broke Riley's trust, and his heart. When Riley's father passes away unexpectedly (have some tissues for this book by the way), Adam comes to the small town of Avery River, Nova Scotia to pay his respects and try and make things right with Riley.

Look, friends to lovers to enemies to lovers is a god tier trope. Combine that with second chance and I couldn't put this book down. Reid packed The Shots You Take with heart and feelings and the way these two men were able to work through their shared past to find a way into their shared future was perfect. Once I finished the ARC I immediately preordered a physical copy and I can't wait to have this book in my hands when it releases!

I love a book with older MCs, especially when it's second chance. I love seeing the growth the characters do when they're separated, the different people they turn into, and how they view past actions now with more years of experience.

Adam and Riley are so sweet. We're taken through their story in a mix of past and present chapters that highlight both the differences between them and also the differences in who they were vs who they are now. Both have done a lot of growing in the the decade+ they spent apart. Adam especially has learned a lot about himself and his worldview.

My favorite character arc is Riley's though. He's portrayed as a victim (kind of) for much of the book. He's dealing with a lot in the present timeline with the death of his father, and was having a hard time in the past with accepting who he is and finding himself in love with his best friend. I loved that he was able to view himself at a distance (years later) and see that he was part of the problem way back when. Communication is a two-way street and neither of them was good at it (I mean what 20-something is?). I also loved how he turned his life around after a big spiral.

Overall a great read if you love second chance. The setting was charming and the side characters were sweet.

Do you love a hockey setting but want to see more romances with older characters? Reid offers up two retired players, neither of whom are still connected to the game beyond their legacy (they don't even coach!), both of whom had very different careers trajectories and reasons, and timeframes, for their retirement. But because this is a second chance romance, we also get in-game moments and some action shots from their youth, as well as milestones, through flashbacks. It was a really good balance and, thankfully, the flashbacks ended once they had served their purpose instead of being dragged out for no reason. This also works as a small town romance, just to throw another trope at you!

Additionally, we have grief, groveling, and gardening (I needed a third g, but there actually is gardening). The arc of this reconnected relationship, starting off first with a rocky reluctant rekindled friendship, went pretty well. It's always hard to be perfectly content with the transition from dislike/anger to forgiveness/friendship (or more), especially with Riley because he had been so angry at the onset, and I wish maybe.. a little more time had been given to let that fade? But I get that there's only ever so much room for these things. And the aftermath of it, the time they gave each other once they cleared the air, that worked so well.

There's also some other really great choices Reid made that I'd love to talk about but hey, have to leave you with something to discover on your own reading journey. No more hints.

I think fans of this author will really enjoy this newest offering, particularly as it's a little different from the last few that have come out, and it will certainly satisfy those looking for an angsty bite to their sportsy romances.

3.5 stars

People kept saying this book was good, but no one told me I’d be sobbing by chapter 2!

Rachel Reid does it again with this beautiful emotional and poignant second chance romance. The main characters are deep and complicated, the side characters are rich, even the setting of the small Nova Scotia town adds to the wonderful experience of reading this book!

I was so moved by the depths of self exploration, forgiveness, and allowing oneself to be loved!

Is it me, Jesus? Because I think it's possible that I might be on the only person who did not connect with Riley and Adam's story and love them, Don't get me wrong, it's Rachel Reid, so the writing is fantastic, but this just wasn't for me.

Another INCREDIBLE read from Rachel Reid, I'm COMPLETELY obsessed with The Shots You Take. I've been reading a lot of second chance hockey romance lately, and I'm kind of amazed by how different they all are - this is definitely one of my favorites. Adam and Riley's story is a sad one - this book is ANGSTY and I ended up in tears multiple times. But I loved reading about older men making up for lost time, the beautiful setting in Nova Scotia, and the overarching theme of hopefulness. HIGHLY recommend

OMG y'all, Riley absolutely broke my heart. The flashback chapters with him pining over his best friend who is giving him everything except what he really wants are honestly incredibly hard to read. Adam had some serious work to do with him, coming back after TWELVE YEARS - I'm not sure if I would have trusted him with my heart either. But these guys have serious soulmates vibes, and for Adam to show up, do some serious groveling and FINALLY admitting that he hurt Riley, that what they had between them was REAL, and that he wants some of what they had back had me absolutely swooning. Though I know there were some readers who couldn't forgive Adam, I totally get where he was coming from and why he waited so long. In some ways, coming back when he did was honestly the only thing he COULD do, and I'm glad he was there for Riley when he needed someone so badly. The secondary story about the death of Riley's dad and the intensity of his grief was heartbreaking as well, but I loved that it gave the opportunity for Riley and Adam to find each other again in an idyllic small town that is accepting of them both.

The Shots You Take is so much more than your typical hockey romance. It's got some really good commentary on how the prevailing stereotypes about hockey player's sexuality, mental health, and physical well-being can be incredibly harmful, but perhaps progress can be made. I loved the themes about finding yourself later in life, how important it is to have the support of friends and family, and that sometimes all someone wants is for you to choose them and show up, even if you are seemingly pushing them away. Books like this are why Rachel Reid will forever be one of my favorite authors, such an incredible storyteller.

I have enjoyed Rachel Reid's hockey books in the past and leapt at the chance to read her new one. At first, I thought it was a bit underwhelming and predictable. The funeral of the father of one former hockey player, Riley, brings him back into contact with his former teammate and love interest, Adam, who had rejected him many years before because he could not accept that fact that he himself was gay.

The trajectory seemed clear: Adam, now retired, would slowly wear down Riley's defenses and they would re-unite. While that essentially is what happens, we get to know these two men on much deeper level--Riley's mental health and addiction struggles, Adam's internalized homophobia and his problematic relationship with his own parents and his kids. It's nice to have a hockey romance with two older former players where the focus is not on the upcoming games, pursuit of the Cup, or whatever. I really rooted for the two 40-somethings to get together and Reid does not short-change how messy a process this can be. Loved the small-town Nova Scotia setting and the many supportive secondary characters.

There was the same fault that I find in so many romances--over-reliance on the f-bomb as the language of love (or at least sex). Can't men express passion in a more original non-porn star way? This always seems lazy to me. The extended epilogue was SO sweet that I got quite a sugar rush.

Overall, a solid read with sympathetic forty-something MCs--good feels and medium spice.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Rachel Reid knows how to write a contemporary romance! The Shots You Take is a beautiful exploration of grief, relationships, and communication. Since both Riley and Adam are older, retired hockey players, it was refreshing for them to talk through their issues.

Compared to her previous sports romance, this new standalone is more hockey-adjacent. Rachel gives the audience brief glances into her knowledge of hockey, and how athletes are fueled by youth and adrenaline to put their bodies on the line.

The Shots You Take is a heartwarming exploration centering on mental health, friendship, grief, and growth.

Thank you to Carina Adores and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

There’s something about sad retired hockey players that is such a powerful read. Or maybe it’s the quality of the author. Either way The Shots You Take is a wonderful read that grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let go. This is one of my favorite reads this year so far.

Rachel Reid's newest standalone hockey romance is a little different than her previous standalone 'Time to Shine' or her Game Changers series. Riley Tuck retired from the NHL years ago, when his tumultuous career cratered after a broken heart and a trade that landed him far from anything that felt like home. Since his retirement, he's rebuilt his life in his hometown in Nova Scotia, working side by side with his dad in their family-owned sports equipment store.

But now his dad has died, and Riley is reeling with grief. And who should appear at the funeral but the man who broke his heart all those years ago, his former NHL teammate and best friend, Adam Sheppard. Since his own retirement put the capstone on his superstar career, Adam has done a lot of reevaluating. He's been honest with himself about his sexuality, divorced his wife, and decided to try to reconnect with Riley...however unwelcome Riley makes him feel at first.

Riley is slow to let go of the anger and resentment that have calcified over his former attachment to Adam, but Adam chips away at it with earnest good intentions and emotional support. This isn't one of Reid's funnier or spicier novels (though humor and heat definitely make appearances), but its sweetness shines on every page through characters who are trying to do the right thing for themselves and others, who are asking for and granting forgiveness even when it's difficult, who are seeing each other at their worst and helping each other stand back up. This is a great book for small towns, second chances and slow burns.

Many thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for the eARC.

*4.5

It's kind of strange that it's marketed as a hockey romance considering both of them are retired. Adam messed up really bad when they were younger and wants to make it up to Riley. It kind of hurts to read how Adam treated Riley in the past but he was so repressed. In the present all Adam wants to do is be there for Riley. I love how they reconnected and how they each have grown.

I received an arc through netgalley.

🏒 The Shots You Take 🏒

Oh my heart I adore Adam and Riley. Those precious souls. This was absolutely heartwarming, hard and beautiful all at the same time.

Adam and Riley are former hockey teammates and former more than best friends. They hadn’t talked in 12 years when Adam shows up to Riley’s dad’s funeral and stays to be there for Riley in a hard time. They reconnect and are honest about where they are now in middle age and what they weren’t honest about when they were younger.

This is a beautiful journey of being true to yourself, accepting help and honoring your mental health.

The Shots We Take is on shelves March 4, 2025! My opinions are my own.

Second chance romance is hit or miss for me and this was a hit. I loved the setting and the MCs. Their backstory was so emotional but the mistakes made were very real and understandable. Their journey was hard fought and I loved the complexity of the characters.

This was such a sweet read! I absolutely adored Riley and Adam and I loved watching their love (finally) bloom. A second chance romance can be a little tricky plot point but it really worked here, and I loved that Riley and Adam were whole adults who had lived their lives before they came back together.

Rachel Reid truly nails queer romance that is perfectly heart-warming and just a little dirty and I can’t wait to keep reading her books!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for an advanced copy of the ebook!

E-ARC generously provided by Carina Adores/Harper in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!

Tender, angsty, and containing the exact alchemical mix of romance tropes that is catnip to me, The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid is a certifiable winner of a queer hockey romance that was equal parts heartwarming and heartrending.

I enjoyed this hockey romance set in Nova Scotia I haven't read many books set in Canada and it makes sense that we finally get a hockey one set there. I'm normally not a fan of second chance romances and I don't read many M/M romances. But I'm a sucker for the whole two idiots in love.

This was a very emotional second chance story about two former NHL players, now in their early 40s, who used to be teammates, best friends, and roommates, and would hook up sometimes. Riley knew he was gay and was in love with Adam, whereas as Adam remained in denial about what his feelings and experiences meant, and hurt Riley multiple times because of it before they didn't see each other for 12 years.

He married a woman, had kids, and only just retired from hockey recently. Riley left the sport at 29 needing help with mental health and addiction, neither of which were supported in the league or discussed at the time. He went back to his small Nova Scotia town, figured out his stuff, and built a quiet life for himself and his dog Lucky with family nearby. But now his dad has died, which has thrown him for a loop, and amidst his already deep sorrow and grief, Adam shows up for the funeral wanting to talk.

The men spend an initially fraught week together working through their emotions, finally coming clean about things (including Adam's divorce), and trying to avoid their attraction, at first. It's a slow burn, but feelings are still there too and what they end up with is beautiful and joyful, even with Adam's trip home to Toronto looming.

I really liked this book, it got me in my feelings as a queer person and someone who loves second chance romances. It didn't blow me away as something I'd want to scream about from roof tops but I think that's mostly due to its more somber, serious tone. It was a bit confusing at times whose POV we were in since it switches mid chapter sometimes and was in 3rd person without name labels for the sections, but there's a chance that's just an ARC formatting issue so I don't hold that against it. After all, it still had me captivated enough to stay up into the night to finish it, and that says a lot.

Thank you to Harlequin Books for the arc!

•second chance queer hockey romance
•MCs in their 40's
•small town Nova Scotia
•CW: grief, loss of a parent, mental health (depression and emotional regulation disorder with flare up on page)
•Release date: Mar 4/25

After moving back to Avery River, Riley hoped to leave his broken heart and hockey career behind him. But when tragedy brings his ex-teammate Shep back into his life, old wounds reopen and undeniable chemistry remains years later. I love a small-town second-chance romance and this one certainly delivered.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a second chance story about two previous best friends who haven’t spoken in 12 years reunited after the (off page) death of a beloved parent. I loved the Nova Scotia setting and their happily ever after in the epilogue.