Reviewed by Jen B.

TITLE: Role Model

SERIES: Game Changers #5

AUTHOR: Rachel Reid

PUBLISHER:  Carina Press

LENGTH: 284 Pages

RELEASE DATE: August 10, 2021

BLURB:

“Rachel Reid crafted a story of true heart, beauty, heat, and glorious, hard-won redemption! I loved both heroes and their journey to love was a gorgeous one to watch!” – Lauren Blakely, #1 NYT Bestselling author of Scoring With Him

The highly anticipated fifth novel in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series sees a grumpy professional hockey player meet his match in an out-and-proud social media manager…

The hits just keep coming for Troy Barrett. Traded to the worst team in the league would be bad enough, but coming on the heels of a messy breakup and a recent scandal… Troy just wants to play hockey and be left alone. He doesn’t want to be in the news anymore, and he definitely doesn’t want to “work on his online presence” with the team’s peppy social media manager.

Harris Drover can tell standoffish Troy isn’t happy about the trade—anyone could tell, frankly, as he doesn’t exactly hide it well—but Harris doesn’t give up on people easily. Even when he’s developing a crush he’s sure is one-sided. And when he sees Troy’s smile finally crack through his grumpy exterior, well… That’s a man Harris couldn’t turn his back on if he wanted to.

Suddenly, Troy’s move to the new team feels like an opportunity—for Troy to embrace his true self, and for both men to surrender to their growing attraction. But indulging in each other behind closed doors is one thing, and for Troy, being in a public relationship with Harris will mean facing off with his fears, once and for all.

Game Changers

Book 1: Game Changer
Book 2: Heated Rivalry
Book 3: Tough Guy
Book 4: Common Goal
Book 5: Role Model

REVIEW:

I have loved this series from the moment I started reading Heated Rivalry, and although that still remains my favorite (I’m definitely not alone on that – hot stuff!), this installment was just as satisfying and had a lot to offer. It for sure satisfies the need for a good hockey story with the added bonus of fabulous characters and great side stories as well.

Here, we follow the story of Troy who is starting with a new team after a scandal involving his fellow teammate and then-best friend who he called out as a rapist after allegations surfaced. That didn’t end well when instead of being appalled by the accusations, family, friends, teammates and fans turned against Troy as the bad guy. So, Troy comes to the new team with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and a not-so-super attitude.

But, Troy could not have ended up in a better place with amazing new teammates (including fan fave, Ilya of Ilya and Shane fame). And then there is Harris, the team PR and Social Media guru. Harris is out, loud and proud and while he doesn’t actually flaunt it (aside from the flair he is always wearing), he doesn’t hide it and is basically accepted by the entire team. He is a ray of sunshine that Troy needed in his otherwise dim life. Luckily, Harris sees something in Troy and chooses to push a little here and there to bring Troy out of his shell and into a better light.

This is another page-turner of a story that keeps you engaged and entertained. Troy and Harris are adorably sweet together but it never feels too mushy. I absolutely love how the team (and Ilya) were able to bring Troy into the fold making him comfortable enough to be himself (I was rooting for Ilya to come clean as well, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be…just yet).

There were some things that felt could have been a little more fleshed out as their aspect of the story played out, i.e. the ex-friend, Troy’s father, etc., but all in all, this was another series winner for me. Big bonus points to find out in the end that we are going to be seeing more of Ilya and Shane in the next book, and I can’t wait to see their story run its course.

RATING:

BUY LINK:

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