The Long Game – Paperback by Rachel Reid

Why We Shelved It:

A breathtaking, emotionally electrifying masterclass in contemporary queer romance and celebrity-adjacent sports fiction. Rachel Reid’s beloved Game Changer universe continues with the iconic fan-favorite romance between NHL star Shane Hollander and superstar singer Ilya Rozanov, exploring the dizzying highs and vulnerable depths of playing the long game in love and life. Shelved proudly within our Fiction & Dark Lore sanctuary alongside character-driven contemporary narratives like Game Changer, this trade paperback is an absolute essential for readers craving fierce loyalty, witty banter, and profound emotional payoff.

The Work:

Ten years ago, a brief, secret hookup between hockey superstar Shane Hollander and hedonistic Russian goal-machine Ilya Rozanov sparked a slow-burning connection that neither man could shake. For a decade, they have orbited each other across different continents, professional rivalries, and media scrutiny while hiding their intense emotional bond behind public indifference.

Now, playing for the same team in Toronto, the secret is out—and the real work begins.

In The Long Game, Rachel Reid delivers an intoxicating blend of scorching chemistry and deeply tender emotional growth. Inside this page-turning novel, readers will explore:

• The Weight of Celebrity: Navigating the fishbowl of public notoriety, media gossip, and the courage required to love openly in the professional sports world.

• Domestic Domesticity & Healing: Watching two scarred, complex men learn how to build a safe, shared home together after years of emotional armor.

• Wit & Banter: Razor-sharp humor, unforgettable dialogue, and sizzling romantic tension that keeps you turning pages deep into the night.

• Deeply Human Vulnerability: A raw exploration of trust, past trauma, self-worth, and choosing each other every single day.

Unforgettable, hilarious, and profoundly romantic, The Long Game is a triumphant celebration of love that survives the spotlight.