Tough Guy: A Gay Sports Romance

Rachel Reid

Jan 2020 · Game Changers Book 3 · Sold by Carina Press

About this ebook

They have nothing in common—so why does Ryan feel most like himself with Fabian? Opposites attract in this steamy Game Changers romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Reid.

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to Toronto, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ+ Village. The last thing he expects to find in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s feeling something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

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

Ratings and reviews

This third book in the Game Changers series is my favorite so far. I enjoyed the first two books in the series but finished both with mixed feelings. Rachel Reid does write some great characters, but the romance came up short for me in the first two books. This one gave me both with Ryan and Fabian in a friends to lovers romance that has plenty of feels. I really liked the outlandish Fabian. He's larger than life at times, and he's just such a fun character to read. Then we have Ryan, who is a gentle giant until he hits the ice and has to be the fighter, the Tough Guy. I absolutely loved Ryan. He's not without his problems, most of which stem from low self-esteem and anxiety, but he's just that much more lovable because of those things. He's one of those characters that tug at the heartstrings and make me want good things for them. This pair would seem incompatible on the surface, but they are just so good together. There is plenty of steam between Ryan and Fabian, maybe even a bit too much given how much page time is dedicated to that side of the relationship, but at the same time, it works for this couple. I was glad to see that the author dedicated some time to the actual building of this relationship, and I loved seeing Ryan slowly come out of his shell both in the romance and in his everyday life. I've liked all three couples in this series, but I have to say that Ryan and Fabian make up my favorite couple so far. This has been an entertaining series, and I like that we get to revisit some past characters while the book still works as a standalone. I'll be interested to see what Rachel Reid does next.

After reading the first 2 books in this series I couldn't wait to read the third. I was so disappointed in this book. I can't get into it. Ryan is a cool guy the other character not so much.

I want more books in this series! ❤ Have you ever wanted to read a book really badly but didn't read it because you didn't want it to be over? Well, that was me with Tough Guy. I really, really wanted to read this, and have had a copy since mid-December 2019, but kept putting off reading it because I knew it would be an emotional read but also because I knew I wouldn't want it to end. According to Rachel Reid's website, she is planning more books in this series and I am so happy to learn that. This story was a bit different from the first two in this series but I loved it just as much. NHL player, Ryan, doesn't like what he's become. He hates fighting and hates that he is expected to fight on the ice, that fighting is what he's been hired for. Fabian couldn't be more opposite from Ryan. He's a musician and loves to wear makeup and he never imagined that he would be Ryan's type. This book wasn't as hot and heavy with the sexy time as the others and that was integral to the story. Ryan has a lot of nervous issues and takes medication. Medication that affects a lot of things, including his ability to have an orgasm, which in turn can end up making him more anxious. When Ryan runs into Fabian near his new home in Toronto, he once again feels the connection to him that he felt back when they were teenagers. Fabian is exactly the kind of man Ryan is attracted to, much to Fabian's surprise. I loved the slow-burn of Ryan and Fabian exploring their attraction to each other. I also loved how caring Fabian was and how understanding of Ryan's various issues. Everything about this book just kept me glued to my e-reader once I started it. I wish I had the right words to say how much I loved this book and the whole series. If you like MM hockey romance you really should give Rachel Reid's books a chance. A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book. ***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

About the author

Rachel Reid has always lived in Nova Scotia, Canada, and will likely continue to do so. She has two boring degrees and two interesting sons. She has been a hockey fan since childhood, but sadly never made it to the NHL herself. She enjoys books about hot men doing hot things, and cool ladies being awesome. You can follow Rachel on Instagram at rachelreidwrites and Twitter @akaRachelReid, and on Goodreads. Her website and blog, where she writes more things, is www.rachelreidwrites.com.