Game Changer book review
It’s always so hard to decide. Flowers or $50,000? Which one’s the better gift?
Today, we’re talking about Game Changer by Rachel Reid. The genre is fiction, and the themes are love, friendship, and athletics. If you haven’t heard of Game Changer, you may have heard of the TV show Heated Rivalry. I understand that love is love. You can fall in love with anyone. If you are lucky enough to fall in love, congratulations.
So, I originally thought, “I don’t think I really need to read that.” I’ve only been to one Columbus Blue Jackets hockey game.
I wasn’t too interested in reading a hockey romance. What I was not anticipating was the friendships and the yearning in the relationships.
There are a couple of things that I really, really love about Rachel Reid’s writing. There is a good amount of love, sex, and affection in these books, but the books do not fetishize what’s happening. It’s not in a gawking or disrespectful way, and I really appreciate that.
The way she talks about the characters and how much they’re in love feels so natural and sweet. It’s affectionate. It’s like lovingly looking at the guy while he’s making your blueberry shake because you love the feel of his arms on you, so you’re enjoying thinking about that while watching him scoop out the blueberries.
And don’t be weird. I’m not saying you have to love blueberries or fall in love with the smoothie maker. But we’ve probably all experienced how one little thing can trigger an emotion, and suddenly you’re thinking, “Oh, I remember being there. I remember seeing that. I remember doing that.”
I haven’t read books with this much yearning and that deep, deep endearment for another person in a really long time. Game Changer is all about falling in love and the beauty of it. It’s also about how you can have this deep friendship and appreciation alongside romantic love.
It’s just so cute.
“How can one person be so tempting?”
That is one of my favorite lines from the book. Scott says it to Kip, and I’m thinking, has anyone ever said that to me? Can someone say that to me? Husband, please say that to me on my birthday.
I’m literally blushing while reading this book.
I also loved the moment toward the end when Scott tells his teammates that he is in a relationship with Kip.
Kip is one of my favorite characters. I want to be his best friend. He reminds me of one of my close friends. Complete nerd, history buff, loves his family, regular guy.
His teammates start gushing and teasing Scott about Kip the same way they would if he were dating anyone else. They still have that camaraderie, and I really appreciated that.
There was also one part that was so suspenseful for me. When Carter gives Scott the restaurant reservation, I was terrified someone was going to see Scott and Kip, take their picture, and blast Scott for being on a date with a man.
I was stressed.
For you to be in love with someone and forming a relationship, and then for someone else to move it further along in a way that outpaces what you want, is not fair. At the same time, I’m reading the book thinking, “This is so unfair to Kip that he can’t openly date Scott.” That’s one of the complexities of their relationship that I loved.
Scott is a hockey star. People see him on billboards. He has brand deals. His teammates are some of the closest people in his life. He has to consider what coming out could mean for his career, his relationships, and even what happens on the ice.
Meanwhile, I’m cheering for Kip the entire time. You better acknowledge Kip. Kip is a good man, and Kip loves you. Don’t mess this up!
I also hadn’t really considered the fact that I’ve never had to announce who I’m attracted to because it has just been assumed that I would be attracted to and date the opposite sex. I’m usually thinking, “You love who you love. It’s great.”
But in Game Changer, you really get to see Scott wrestle with what it means to openly acknowledge this part of his life. It’s not that he’s embarrassed or ashamed of Kip. There are real considerations around his career and the culture of professional sports.
Scott talks about how other players get to travel with their spouses or have their spouse show up, kiss them, and hold up their kids. You don’t always get to see that with players who are in same-sex relationships.
This book made me so absolutely happy. Would I reread it? Absolutely.
Typically, it’s my rule that I have to read a book three times before I buy it. Otherwise, my entire house would just be covered in books.
Well, I read Game Changer. I immediately reread it. Then I got the physical book. Then I listened to the audiobook because I like to hear the voices, too.
The storytelling is compelling. The love stories, the friendships, and the complexities of these characters are compelling.
And I’m so excited to read the next ones.
Also, I’ve never looked at blueberry smoothies the same way.
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Until the next book review,
Kyla
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