Common Goal: Now Streaming on Crave and HBO Max

Rachel Reid

Nov 2024 · Game Changers Book 4 · Sold by Carina Press

About this ebook

THE SERIES THAT INSPIRED HEATED RIVALRY • NOW A #1 STREAMING SHOW

Enter the world of Game Changers, the series behind the epic enemies-to-lovers hockey romance Heated Rivalry, streaming on Crave in Canada and on HBO Max in the U.S.

A friends-with-benefits arrangement between a veteran goalie and a much-younger man leaves them both wanting more, by New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Reid.

Veteran goaltender Eric Bennett has faced down some of the toughest shooters on the ice, but nothing prepared him for his latest challenge—life after hockey. It’s time to make some big changes, starting with finally dating men for the first time.

Graduate student Kyle Swift moved to New York nursing a broken heart. He’d sworn to find someone his own age to crush on (for once). Until he meets a gorgeous, distinguished silver fox hockey player. Despite their intense physical attraction, Kyle has no intention of getting emotionally involved. He’ll teach Eric a few tricks, have some mutually consensual fun, then walk away.

Eric is more than happy to learn anything Kyle brings to the table. And Kyle never expected their friends-with-benefits arrangement to leave him wanting more. Happily-ever-after might be staring them in the face, but it won’t happen if they're too stubborn to come clean about their feelings.

Everything they want is within reach… They just have to be brave enough to grab it.

Game Changers

• Book 1: Game Changer
• Book 2: Heated Rivalry
• Book 3: Tough Guy
• Book 4: Common Goal
• Book 5: Role Model
• Book 6: The Long Game
• Book 7: Unrivaled

Need more Rachel Reid?! Check out these other standalones from your favorite MM hockey romance writer:

• Time to Shine
• The Shots You Take

Ratings and reviews

Sex is hot. Ending was good. But i can't tell you how much it annoyed me that there's endless misunderstanding, and wrong assumptions between the two couples that got me irritated. Even after the final chapter, I was very annoyed thay they're not honest with each other. Heck, i think im being generous to give it a 4 star. To be fair, the story started with Kyle misunderstanding the meaning of the ring in Erics hand, so I guess it's R. Reid's way of foreshadowing the upcoming misunderstanding that will happen in the book. Regardless, it wasn't easy.

COMMON GOAL is the fourth instalment in Rachel Reid’s contemporary, adult, GAME CHANGERS erotic, LGBTQ, (MM) hockey romance series. This is New York Admirals goalie, forty-one year old, Eric Bennett, and twenty-five year old, bartender/ graduate student Kyle Swift’s story line. COMMON GOAL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary. Kyle and Eric first appeared in book one Game Changer. NOTE: COMMON GOAL is an age-gap, LGBTQ romance with graphic scenes of same sex scenarios that may not be suitable for all readers. Told from dual third person perspectives (Kyle and Eric) COMMON GOAL follows the building romance and relationship between is New York Admirals goalie, forty-one year old, Eric Bennett, and twenty-five year old, bartender/ graduate student Kyle Swift. Eric Bennett is a bisexual man but has only ever had sexual relationships with women. Recently divorced, Eric has thought about his attraction to men but especially his attraction to bartender Kyle Swift, a young man whose obsession with Eric’s teammate Scott is slowly dying since Scott’s engagement to Kyle’s co-worker Kip. Coming out to Kyle, Eric found himself in a friends with benefits arrangement when Eric claimed he had no experience with the same $ex. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kyle and Eric, and the potential fall-out as Eric struggles with their age-difference. Eric Bennett is a man close to the end of his professional career, and falling for Kyle Swift left Eric feeling old and tired but with no experience with gay $ex, Eric jumped at Kyle’s offer to teach Eric about $ex with a younger man. Kyle Swift didn’t care about their age difference but in an effort to get to know Eric better, Kyle offered to find Eric a partner but found himself falling in love with our story line hero. There is a definite lack of communication between both men that exacerbated the proverbial ‘elephant in the room’ especially as it pertained to Eric’s issues with their age difference (ad nauseam), and his need to keep Kyle in the friend zone. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Scott and Kip (Game Changer #1), Ilya Rozanov (Heated Rivalry #2), teammates Matti Jalo, Carter Vaughan, Kyle’s roommate Maria, and Eric’s friend and gallery owner Jeanette. COMMON GOAL is a story of secrets, friendships and relationships. The character driven premise inviting and imaginative; the characters are spirited and inspiring; the romance is edgy and spicy. COMMON GOAL looks at the psychological side of coming out but stays clear of the social and professional repercussions that many professional athletes experience following such pronouncement.

This is book #4, in The Game Changers series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader enjoyment and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this series in order. Eric is a goalie who is on his last season. He has never had to deal with this before, and he is all out of sorts. Now he can be who he needs to be, love who he wants to love. Kyle tells himself he will find someone his own age and be happy. Then he meets again the man that makes his heart pound, and all his plans fade away. Can he stick to his guns on this one? Or will a certain hockey player blow his plans out of the way? This was a definite sexy book with a slow burn twist. I loved how the characters seemed obvious to be together. I also loved the humor, the sparks, and the sexy thrum of heat throughout the entire story. Such amazing characters, with definite qualities that show they are both individuals and meant to be a couple. ***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review, by Netgalley and its publishers.

About the author

Rachel Reid is the New York Times Bestselling author of the Game Changers series, which has been adapted into the smash hit television series, Heated Rivalry. Rachel has always lived in Nova Scotia, Canada, and will likely continue to do so. She has two boring degrees and two interesting kids. She has been a hockey fan since childhood, but sadly never made it to the NHL herself. You can follow Rachel on Instagram at rachelreidwrites. Her website and blog, where she writes more things, is www.rachelreidwrites.com.