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Tough Guy

Book 3 in the series:Game Changers

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Tough Guy by Rachel Reid is a heartfelt story about NHL defenseman Ryan Price who is struggling with anxiety and self-doubt in his hockey career. When he reconnects with his high school crush, Fabian Salah, an aspiring musician, their unique and supportive relationship blossoms. The book beautifully explores themes of mental health, acceptance, and self-discovery, with a writing style that is intimate, empowering, and sensitively handles difficult topics such as sexual dysfunctions and anxiety disorders.

Characters:

The characters are distinct and richly developed, portraying a sensitive hockey player with anxiety and a bold, gender-nonconforming musician navigating their relationship.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is accessible and emotionally resonant, effectively conveying complex themes and character dynamics.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around an NHL enforcer facing personal struggles with anxiety and his rekindled relationship with a confident musician, offering a mix of romance and important social commentary.

Setting:

The setting is vibrant and multifaceted, reflecting the characters' diverse backgrounds and the cultural landscape of LGBTQ communities.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slowly but gains momentum as the story progresses, balancing character introspection with action.
Clearly there was some sort of game happening today because the subway train was packed with people wearing blue Toronto Guardians jerseys. Fabian wished he could sit down; he didn’t like standing in ...

Notes:

The book follows Ryan, an NHL enforcer with anxiety and panic attacks, who struggles with his mental health and career.
Ryan's love interest, Fabian, is a confident and androgynous musician who is not a fan of hockey.
The story explores important themes like mental health, masculinity, and the pressures faced by athletes.
Ryan's character showcases a gentle and caring side, contrasting with his tough hockey persona.
Fabian helps Ryan confront his issues, showing the importance of support in relationships.
The relationship develops from a childhood crush to an emotional and touching adult romance.
The author effectively portrays the complexities of anxiety, including its sexual side effects and struggles in intimacy.
Ryan's friendship with his teammate, Wyatt, adds a heartwarming element to the story as he learns to connect with others.
Cameos from characters in earlier books of the series create continuity and nostalgia for fans.
The book is part of Rachel Reid's 'Game Changers' series, with each installment featuring different characters and storylines.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of anxiety disorders, mental health challenges, sexual dysfunction, and the stigma surrounding masculinity in sports.

Has Romance?

The book features a strong romantic element between the two main characters, making romance a central focus of the plot.

From The Publisher:

"This is a sweet, satisfying romance." - Publishers Weekly , starred review

They have nothing in common-so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he's with Fabian?

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he's determined to make a fresh start in the city's dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey.

But that doesn't stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn't forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it's clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan's guide to the gay scene in Toronto.

Between dance clubs and art exhibits-and the most amazing sex-Ryan's starting to feel something he hasn't experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Reid

Game Changers

Book 1: Game Changer

Book 2: Heated Rivalry

Book 3: Tough Guy

Book 4: Common Goal

Book 5: Role Model

Book 6: The Long Game

Ratings (8)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (3)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (22):

Read It (10)
Want To Read (5)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (6)
 
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