Game Changers, Book 1
From the publisher:
THE SERIES THAT INSPIRED HEATED RIVALRY • NOW A #1 STREAMING SHOW
Enter the world of Game Changers, the series behind the epic enemies-to-lovers hockey romance Heated Rivalry, streaming on Crave in Canada and on HBO Max in the U.S.
It all starts here with Scott and Kip’s steamy secret-relationship romance by New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Reid.
New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pregame rituals very seriously. When a particular smoothie precedes Scott’s 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 Grady 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—and more. What goes on between them is 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 or the public’s image of what a hockey captain should be. Kip is ready to go all in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?
- 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
- Book 7: Unrivaled
I came to this series through the HBO Max adaptation of Heated Rivalry. I only made it through two episodes, but that was enough to send me straight to the books — which turned out to be much more my speed.
Game Changer follows Scott Hunter, a closeted star hockey player and team captain in New York who’s struggling to find his footing on the ice. Everything shifts when he ducks into a smoothie shop and meets Kip, a 25‑year‑old history major with no real direction and an irresistible blend of sweetness and snark. Their connection is instant, their chemistry electric. Still, the first half dragged a bit for me. The two jump into bed immediately, and the story lingers there for a long stretch. I don’t mind spice, but it started to feel like wall‑to‑wall sex when I wanted more plot to balance it out.
The heart of the conflict is Scott’s fear of coming out. Kip doesn’t push at first, but as Scott’s team heads into the playoffs, he starts to feel like a secret — left out of team dinners, erased from Scott’s public life. Scott loves him deeply, but his fear keeps him frozen. Kip, meanwhile, gives everything without asking much in return, and when it becomes too painful, he runs rather than communicate. Both men have blind spots, and the book doesn’t shy away from showing them.
The story really finds its rhythm in the second half, once their relationship deepens and the world outside Scott’s bedroom finally comes into focus. I really liked the secondary characters as they added a lot to the story. Scott’s best friend, Carter, was a sweetheart, and Kip’s friends Elena and Maria brought a lot of humor to the story. The team camaraderie is warm and believable, but there was surprisingly very little focus on hockey.
There’s definitely some angst, but it never overwhelms the sweetness. I loved how supportive Kip’s family was, and the ending was spot on. Readers who prefer their romances soft and heartfelt will feel right at home. Those craving something grittier might find it a bit too cozy, but there’s real emotional honesty in watching two men slowly learn to stop hiding and choose each other. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, the much beloved Heated Rivalry.
2/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
GAME CHANGER by Rachel Reid. Carina Press. (November 26, 2024). ISBN: 978-1335534620. 368p.
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