Readers of 'The Long Game' by Rachel Reid praised the emotional depth and struggles faced by the main characters, Ilya and Shane, in their journey towards a happily ever after. The book explores themes of mental health struggles, selflessness, sacrifices, and the importance of seeking help. The writing style was described as beautifully written, touching, and filled with steamy scenes that made the readers laugh, cry, and love with the characters.

Characters:

The characters are complex, with Ilya being emotionally expressive and Shane presenting a more controlled but loving personality, both grappling with personal issues.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style masterfully intertwines humor with poignant themes, creating a deeply engaging narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot evolves around Ilya and Shane's enduring romance while tackling the pressures of professional hockey and personal challenges.

Setting:

The setting is grounded in the fast-paced world of professional hockey, highlighting both public and private spaces.

Pacing:

The pacing mixes emotional depth with engaging moments, effectively maintaining reader interest.

Shane felt like his chest was going to explode, but he huffed and pushed himself harder, refusing to give up. The pounding of sneakers on the trail and of Shane’s own heartbeat almost drowned out the ...

Notes:

The Long Game is the sixth book in the Game Changers series.

The story follows Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, who have been together for about ten years.

Ilya and Shane's relationship faces challenges due to the pressures of playing professional hockey and keeping their love a secret.

The book is praised for its authentic portrayal of mental health issues, particularly Ilya's struggles with depression.

Ilya is shown to have a sarcastic and humorous personality, while Shane is more reserved and uptight.

The narrative balances dramatic themes with uplifting romantic moments, providing a satisfying read.

Readers loved Ilya's character for his emotional depth and vulnerability, as well as his ability to bring humor into tough situations.

The story includes steamy romantic scenes, contributing to its popularity among fans of the genre.

There's an emphasis on communication within their relationship, showcasing the struggles and misunderstandings that arise from their hectic lives.

Fans express a desire for more content featuring Ilya and Shane beyond this book.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The Long Game includes content warnings for mental health issues, homophobia, and themes of depression.

Has Romance?

The Long Game features a strong romantic element, focusing extensively on the relationship between Ilya and Shane.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

Shane and Ilya's story, first seen in Heated Rivalry , continues in this long-awaited hockey romance from Rachel Reid.

"Everything you could want from this magnetic couple! A passionate, sexy, emotional sequel that grips your heart! Shane and Ilya forever!" -#1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely, author of Hopelessly Bromantic

To the world they are rivals, but to each other they are everything.

Ten years.

That's how long Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been seeing each other. How long they've been keeping their relationship a secret. From friends, from family…from the league. If Shane wants to stay at the top of his game, what he and Ilya share has to remain secret. He loves Ilya, but what if going public ruins everything?

Ilya is sick of secrets. Shane has gotten so good at hiding his feelings, sometimes Ilya questions if they even exist. The closeness, the intimacy, even the risk that would come with being open about their relationship…Ilya wants it all.

It's time for them to decide what's most important-hockey or love.

It's time to make a call.

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 (18)

Incredible (7)
Loved It (9)
Liked It (2)

Reader Stats (34):

Read It (19)
Want To Read (4)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (10)

1 comment(s)

Keylimetea

Loved It

6 months

Facing the homophobia in the nHL was really awesome to see in a book

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The Long Game

Rachel Reid

Book 6 in the series:Game Changers