Tough Guy – Paperback by Rachel Reid (Game Changers Series)

Why We Shelved It:

Book three in Rachel Reid’s acclaimed Game Changers universe (the series behind Heated Rivalry, streaming on Crave and HBO Max), Tough Guy gives heart and voice to the gentle giant trope. It offers an empathetic look at clinical anxiety, panic, and the silent weight of toxic masculine expectations in elite sports. Shelved for its tender vulnerability and sweet humor, it brings comfort, grounded emotional healing, and queer joy to our community shelves.

The Story:

At six-foot-seven, NHL defenseman Ryan Price has made a living as a brutal on-ice enforcer. But off the ice, Ryan is painfully shy, socially anxious, and exhausted by the expectation to always play the thug. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he rents an apartment in the city’s vibrant LGBTQ+ Village, hoping for a low-key, fresh start.

The last person he expects to run into at the local drugstore is Fabian Salah. Thirteen years ago, Ryan billeted with Fabian’s hockey-obsessed family, and the two shared an unforgettable near-kiss before parting ways. Now an openly queer, glamorous musician who openly loathes the hockey world, Fabian couldn't be more different from Ryan.

Yet when Fabian volunteers to guide Ryan through Toronto’s arts and queer scenes, an undeniable spark reignites. As Ryan begins to discover real joy outside the rink, he faces a crossroad: continuing to endure the physical and mental punishment of his sport, or risking it all to embrace the life—and the love—he has always wanted.