Tough Guy by Rachel Reid

Here's a new hockey romance that tackles anxiety and self-discovery in Toronto's LGBTQ Village.

Summary

Tough Guy by Rachel Reid is a 2020 romance novel centers on the unexpected connection between a professional hockey player and an aspiring musician. Set in Toronto's vibrant LGBTQ Village, the book delves into the challenges of managing anxiety and breaking out of your comfort zone.

Plot

Ryan Price, a professional hockey player, is traded to the Toronto Guardians and moves to the city's LGBTQ Village. Despite his tough persona on the ice, Ryan struggles with anxiety off the rink. While exploring his new neighborhood, he unexpectedly encounters Fabian Salah, a familiar face from his past.

Fabian, an aspiring musician with a distaste for hockey, finds himself drawn to Ryan. The two had nearly shared a kiss in high school, and as their reunion reveals, the chemistry between them has only grown stronger over time. Despite their seemingly opposite interests, Ryan and Fabian are definitely attracted to one another.

As Fabian introduces Ryan to Toronto's gay scene, they explore dance clubs and art exhibits together. Their relationship quickly intensifies, and they experience a passionate physical connection. Through these experiences, Ryan begins to rediscover a sense of joy that had been missing from his life for a long time.

However, Ryan's career as an enforcer in hockey has taken a toll on both his body and mind. As he grows closer to Fabian and experiences the happiness of their relationship, Ryan faces a difficult decision. He must consider whether pursuing a future with Fabian might mean leaving behind his professional hockey career for good.

Themes

LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance
Overcoming personal struggles and anxiety
Rekindling past connections and attraction
Exploring identity and self-discovery
Balancing career and personal life
The transformative power of love and joy
Embracing new experiences and communities

Setting

Set in contemporary Toronto, Canada, Tough Guy unfolds primarily in the city's LGBTQ Village. This urban setting provides a dynamic backdrop for the characters' experiences, contrasting the fast-paced world of professional hockey with the diverse and artistic atmosphere of the Village.

The story takes place in the present day, reflecting modern attitudes towards sexuality and professional sports. Toronto's cosmopolitan environment plays a crucial role, offering a range of locations from ice rinks and sports arenas to dance clubs and art exhibits. These varied settings mirror the protagonist Ryan's journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

While the novel is anchored in Toronto's LGBTQ Village, it also touches on the broader world of professional hockey, hinting at other Canadian and American cities where games and events might occur. The juxtaposition of these different environments—from the high-pressure world of professional sports to the more accepting and diverse urban landscape—creates a rich and multifaceted setting for the characters' evolving relationships and personal challenges.

Characters

Ryan Price: A professional hockey player recently traded to the Toronto Guardians. Ryan is an enforcer on the ice but struggles with anxiety off it. He's determined to make a fresh start in Toronto's LGBTQ Village. Despite his tough exterior, Ryan is sensitive and seeking joy in his life.
Fabian Salah: An aspiring musician who dislikes hockey but is attracted to Ryan. Fabian is confident, outgoing, and well-versed in Toronto's gay scene. He remembers a near-kiss with Ryan from their high school days and is eager to explore their rekindled connection.
Toronto Guardians: The professional hockey team Ryan has been traded to. They serve as the backdrop for Ryan's career struggles and his attempts to balance his professional and personal life.
LGBTQ Village: The neighborhood in Toronto where Ryan moves and Fabian introduces him to the local gay scene. This setting plays a significant role in Ryan's journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

Quick facts

Tough Guy is the third book in Rachel Reid's Game Changers series.
The story is set in Toronto's LGBTQ Village.
Tough Guy features a romance between a professional hockey player and an aspiring musician.
The main characters, Ryan and Fabian, knew each other in high school.
Ryan Price plays as an enforcer for the fictional Toronto Guardians hockey team.
Fabian Salah is portrayed as having a strong dislike for hockey.
Tough Guy explores themes of anxiety, identity, and career transitions.
The novel addresses the physical and mental toll of being an enforcer in hockey.
Tough Guy showcases Toronto's vibrant arts and culture scene.

About the Author

Rachel Reid, the pen name of Rachelle Goguen, is a Canadian author of romance novels. Her writing focuses on creating “cute, romantic smut,” with a particular emphasis on hockey players as central characters. Her most notable work is the Game Changers series, featuring m/m romance. Her unique blend of sports, romance, and LGBTQ+ themes has helped carve out her niche in the contemporary romance landscape.

Hailing from Nova Scotia, Reid has spent her entire life in the province and continues to reside there. The author's background includes two academic degrees, which she humorously describes as “boring,” contrasting them with her “interesting” children.

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