Tough Guy

Game Changers Series, Book 3

De: Rachel Reid

Narrado por: Tor Thom

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.

©2020 Rachelle Goguen (P)2020 Tantor

Hockey and sweet romance

Ryan is such an easy character to root for. He and Fabian together are just too sweet. For fans of Ilya and Shane, they make an appearance. But I enjoyed Ryan’s story almost as much as theirs!

Adorable and sweet

Ryan Price and Fabian were honestly so adorable. Soft. Sweet. Emotional. But I have to be real, Ilya and Shane set the bar so ridiculously high for me in this series that I just could not give this one five stars.

For a bit of context, this follows Ryan, a pro hockey enforcer who is deeply anxious, deeply unhappy, and stuck in a life that doesn’t really fit him. He’s traded to Toronto, already struggling mentally and physically, and then runs straight into Fabian, his old crush from his teenage years. Fabian hates hockey, lives in the artsy side of the city, and somehow feels like the only place Ryan can actually breathe.

Ryan is dealing with anxiety, body image issues, pressure to be someone he’s not, and a body that just is not cooperating with him. But when Fabian comes back into his life, it’s like his world goes from muted to technicolor. Fabian sees him, accepts him, and for most of the book never tries to fix him. He just supports him, gently and consistently, and that meant everything to me.

What I loved most was watching Ryan slowly come out of his shell. Not in a dramatic way, but in small moments. Little steps. Little joys. Fabian never pushes, never forces change, he just stays.

That said, the moment toward the end when Fabian basically tries to force Ryan to quit hockey, even if it was coming from a place of concern, felt really disconnected from the Fabian we’d been seeing all along. It didn’t feel like the same supportive, patient person he had been throughout the story, and that shift is honestly the main reason this didn’t quite hit five stars for me.

Thankfully, they do work through it. They communicate, they find their balance, and they absolutely earn their happily ever after, which made me very happy in the end.

This was a softer, more emotional, very character-driven book. Watching Ryan struggle was hard at times, but his growth felt real and earned.

These books are amazing

Another wonderful book by Rachel Reid. I love these guys so much. Ryan and Fabian are fantastic and I am so happy they get their HEA.

Love it

Love the constant play back of all the other book. Also I like that this one has a more feminine man.

Loved it

There were done greatly sweet parts in this story and I loved it. The narrator(s) was great too.