Changing the Rules

Rules of the Game, Book 2

By: Brigham Vaughn

Narrated by: James Edward Jones

Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Rule number one: Don’t fall in love with the coach.

Gabriel Theriault’s been skating on thin ice for the past two seasons with Toronto, but his arrest following an off-ice fight is the final straw.

His only shot at redemption is to start over in Evanston and prove that he still has what it takes to be a pro player.

No more fights. No more drinking. No more random hookups.

Rule number two: The team always comes first.

Years ago, Lance Tate’s on-ice injury ended his career and marriage.

His long road to recovery led to a job he loves as assistant coach with the Evanston Otters, and he wouldn’t dream of giving that up.

Until he meets Gabriel.

The French Canadian is 15 years younger, burdened by too much responsibility, and the most intriguing man Lance has ever met.

He’s also the absolute last man Lance should get involved with.

The draw between them is impossible to resist—even if it could cost them the game they love.

Their only chance at winning it all is to change the rules.

Trigger warning: Changing the Rules includes a supporting character with advancing dementia. Frank discussion about an emotionally neglectful parent and verbal abuse. Use of mild homophobic slurs and brief mention of suicidal ideation (non-graphic).

©2022 Brigham Vaughn (P)2023 Brigham Vaughn

Great story of redemption.

I read Bending the Rules so I was already familiar with some of Gabriel’s information. I will admit that I wasn’t super excited for his story, but I’m happy to say I was wrong. It is a great story of redemption and I so enjoyed seeing Gabriel grow, shed his burdens, and find true love and happiness. It wasn’t great hearing about his past sexcapades as often as they were mentioned, I understand there being some in there to put in perspective how Gabriel dealt with his pain and that giving up that part of his life was part of his healing process and redemption, it was just a little much at times. Definitely glad he left that lifestyle in Toronto with his past. Lance is a natural caregiver. All he wants is a partner to do the big and little things for. It was precious to see Gabriel’s reactions to Lance’s kindness. They had a kinship in having traumatic brain injuries affect their lives. They had great chemistry, in and out of the bedroom. My favorite moments were when they were showing simple displays of affection to one another and when they were being adorably domestic as well. The hockey was great too! I read the whole thing while watching the Stanley Cup playoffs (and now I listened to it right when they started this year!) 😁 loved it.

James Edward Jones killed it once again. His voice is amazing. I loved his accent and portrayal of Gabriel. Top notch narrating.

Very Enjoyable

Changing the Rules is Book 3 in the Rules of the Game series. This is an enjoyable age gap, player/coach hockey romance about Gabriel, a hockey player in need of redemption and his loving coach, Lance. Sometimes it takes a real screw up and move to find where you really belong. Gabriel and Lance are so sweet together and don't want to mess up either of their careers. But Lance is just the person Gabriel needs, in more ways than one. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Gabriel and his father. Though it hadn't been the best Gabriel does everything he can to help his father. This book is wonderful addition to the series and I recommend it. 
Narrator James Edward Jones does an amazing job. Listening to him I really believed Gabriel was French-Canadian. 

Love this book

I absolutely love this book. The way Lance cares and wants only the best for Gabriel is so sweet and the love Gabriel had to give to Lance was beautiful. It was hard sometimes to figure out who's point of view I was listening to though and often got lost if I was multitasking. This is after reading the book and knowing what was happening. Overall though the performance was great.

Love the series

Love this series. Read it out of order but still really good. Can’t wait for the author to come out with another series like this.

Lance is just what Gabriel needed

After meeting Gabriel in book 1, and seeing he was such a hot mess (and later on finding out why) I was happy to see he would get his HEA. There was a lot of time spent talking about all his previous conquests, which we get he used to be super promiscuous, but we also don’t need reminding of it almost every chapter! The point is he’s calming, he’s settling down, he’s falling in love. He’s no longer using s3x to self medicate the way some use alcohol. Therefore we don’t need reminding, I as the reader want the focus to be on his current loving relationship. There is a lot of difficult times discussed for Gabriel, taking care of his father who never once took care of him. There’s so much guilt and resentment wrapped up in one messy package and Gabriel has no one he can confide in until he meets Lance. Lance saw him struggling with something personal and he made it his mission to be someone who could be leant on and they end up falling deeply for each other. The narrator does a decent job with a difficult accent and I enjoyed the experience. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook.

A coach and player navigate a secret romance

Gabriel is a new player for the Otters, and he’s having a tough time looking after his Dad, who has CTE due to numerous concussion he’s had in his career.

Lance is the assistant coach, and sees Gabriel’s stress and wants to help. It’s only after seeing Gabriel’s Dad that he learns what’s happening.

Gabriel lets Lance in to take care of him instead of doing it all alone, and though they worry about their careers, they won’t give each other up.

Things go well for Gabriel and the team, and though they eventually have to face the public, the couple are committed and have support from the team and management.

Interesting to read about CTE, and hopefully safety gear is more protective nowadays.

I like Gabriel and his swearing and French phrases, and Lance is sweet and caring.

I received this book for free, and voluntarily provide my honest review.

Loved it!

I am really enjoying this series! Lance and Gabriel are perfect together! Gabriel had so much on his shoulders with his Dad’s condition and trying to show his new team that he was committed and focused on hockey instead of all the drama. Lance is drawn to Gabriel from the start but tries to fight his attraction. When Gabriel reaches out to Lance for help and finally opens up to him, it’s impossible for them to deny their feelings. One of my favorite moments was actually between Gabriel and his Dad. Due to the coach/player dynamic of their relationship, Lance and Gabriel are afraid one or both of them could lose their jobs if they are found out. I was glad that when the time came they found support where it mattered. I wasn’t familiar with the narrator, but he did a great job. I definitely recommend!

The Narrator Gives an Outstanding Performance

Hearing narrator James Edward Jones give voice to French-Canadian hockey player Gabriel - the delicious accent and speaking French - was such a treat. He's ranking high on my list of favorite narrators, and made listening to this story an absolute delight.

Bi hockey player Gabriel (30) and offensive coach Lance (49) weren't looking for a relationship, but their "romantic situation" quickly progresses as they fall head over heels for one another. Gabriel is out, Lance is not (though that's not a big focus), and secretly dating has the potential to blow both of their careers apart.

I really enjoyed how kind, caring and considerate Gabriel and Lance are toward each other - it's easy to see why they fall hard and fast - and how the delicate and difficult situation around Gabriel's father's health was handled by the MCs (and the author).

I went into this being new to the series and despite what appears to be numerous recurring characters, I didn't have any trouble following along. This is a story I'll listen to again. I received a free review copy of this audio book and have left this honest review voluntarily.

An amazing MM story set in the Ice Hockey World

Another great instalment from this series. I listened to the audio book. The main characters in this book are player, Gabriel Theriault and assistant ice hockey coach Lance Tate. An age difference and a bi awaking. Such a great story about acceptance and CTE in older ice hockey players. Can't wait to read more from this series.

Emotional listen

This was a surprisingly emotional one for me. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters better. I do wish there was a little more interaction with Lance's kids especially his son and with Noah and Gabriel. I feel like there was a lot left unresolved there and there were a few other plot point I felt this way about as well but I'm hoping there some resolution later in the series. Overall the narration is done very well and I really enjoyed this listen.