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book notes
title: Game Changerauthor: Rachel Reid
series: Game Changers #1
published: 10.22.2018
publisher: Carina Press
Source: bought
genre(s): lgbtqia+, romance, sports
pages: 379
format: eBook
buy/shelve it: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | BookBub | BookHype | StoryGraph | Goodreads
rating:
| series rating: 
the blurb
New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pre-game rituals very seriously. In this case, it’s not just a lucky smoothie he’s craving—it’s the man who made it.
Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, when a smoothie made by juice bar barista Kip Grady precedes Scott breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic...and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.
Kip knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, nevermind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.
Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?
a few notes
POV: 3rd person
setting: New York City, NY
keywords/phrases: coming out, hockey, homophobia
tropes: happy ending, forbidden love
spice: 5/5
language: 5/5
mood reading: in the mood for romance with real-life issues.
bonus points: Scott’s friends, Kip’s parents
my review
There is a lot to love about this book. For one, the hockey. As a hockey fan, I appreciated the attention to detail and the clear knowledge the author had for the sport. The dynamic between Scott and Kip was fantastic, too. But what really made the book for me was the emotional nuance to a difficult situation.
Professional sports are not known for their progressive views on sexuality. Coming out while actively playing could be a huge risk, and that forms the underlying premise of the book. Scott, as an elite NHL hockey player, has dedicated his life to his career, working hard to get where he is. So coming out is not something he’s ever wanted to do, not wanting to risk losing his career. Kip, however, has been out for a long time, and he doesn’t fully grasp the ramifications of being gay in the NHL. Their dynamic, and their struggles at finding a middle ground, felt so real. Scott has been closeted for a long time, always mindful of the fact that he’s in the public eye, terrified of being outed. Kip is certain that Scott will soon tire of him, so he accepts the secrecy. But when the feelings between them deepen, Kip begins to feel as if he’s being pushed back into the closet. He hates lying to his friends, his family about Scott.
I felt for Scott, hated the fear he felt at even the mere thought of being outed. I hate how real that feels in today’s world. And I felt for Kip, too, in the way he began to feel like a dirty little secret, being pushed back into the closet.
This was a deeply emotional story that I loved. The push and pull, the fear… it all felt so real. And the ending… be still my heart!
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2026 52 Books Reading Challenge
- 2026 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge
- 2026 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge: Author Edition
- 2026 Barnes & Noble Reading Challenge
- 2026 Beat the Backlist Reading Challenge
- 2026 Linz the Bookworm & Logophile Reading Challenge
- 2026 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge
- 2026 Wheel of the Year Reading Challenge
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