The Long Game: A Gay Sports Romance (Game Changers, 6) Mass Market Paperback – April 26, 2022

Full disclosure: I am reading this series out of order, so I read this before Heated Rivalry (which I actually haven't read yet) because I didn't know they followed the same couple. I still 100% enjoyed The Long Game and I can't wait to finally get around to reading Heated Rivalry! I've been putting it off simply because I don't want to have read all of Ilya and Shane's story. I want to savor these two!So yes, without having read Heated Rivalry, I adored this book. Ilya and Shane have one of those special big/epic romances that you only read every so often. This book is intended to continue Ilya and Shane's story, showing how these two finally make a life together, considering most of their relationship has been long distance while they play for different hockey teams. I loved how clearly and deeply these two love each other. There is no doubt that they're soul mates. But life really throws some tough obstacles in the way of their HEA. And it's all very realistic; a reality of these guys playing for different hockey teams, navigating long distance, and being at very different points in their coming out journeys. Not to mention Ilya's team is far more accepting than Shane's team. I loved how they worked together to navigate all that life threw at them, but I also loved seeing how they grew as individual characters and how that affected their relationship.I can't express the range of emotions I went through while reading this book. My heart literally ached for these two, and especially for Ilya. It's indescribable how big and beautiful Ilya's soul is, and how hard he loves those around him, his hockey team included. Ilya is an incredibly talented hockey player, so the first question I had was, why is he playing for such a crappy team? But then you see what an impact he has on the team and its players (aka his found family) and it's obvious he was meant to be with Ottawa. I felt like a really interesting comparison was seeing how Ilya's and Shane's love for hockey differed because of the dynamics of their teams, and because Shane sets some very tough professional goals for himself.You'll need a full box of tissues while reading this book. I've read a lot of hockey romance - and there's a ton of it in general - and there is and will never be a book like The Long Game. Ilya and Shane forever!If you're into audiobooks, do yourself a favor and listen to this one. Cooper North's narration is perfection and a big part of why this book made me so emotional. It's about 13 hours and I didn't stop listening once I started. It's that good.

I didn’t think I could love this more than Heated Rivalry but damnit I really did. I love these two so so much. Ilya has the best snark. I don’t laugh out loud often, but he makes me laugh out loud frequently. And Shane is so sweet and cautious against Ilyas boldness.Heated Rivalry and The Long Game are two of my favorite books ever. This was the perfect conclusion to their story.

Review I posted for a joint post I did on my Instagram for Heated Rivalry and The Long Game*contains thoughts about both*I put these books off for a whole because I thought I should read the whole series in order. That however, went out the window. These two books follow the same couple: Shane and Ilya. They are rivals in hockey and everyone believes they hate each other. They even believe they hate each. What no one else knows, is they meet and hook up whenever they’re in the same town. This goes on for years. These two books go through their relationship, and the development was beautiful.I was so frustrated in Heated Rivalry because I honestly felt that they were being so dumb. You get to watch them fight their own brains while they pretend they aren’t falling for each other, but they are. The turning point for me was the first time sweetheart was said and they both realized how screwed they were. 🤣 I was no longer frustrated with them. Then, in The Long Game, you watch them start fighting for each other… even if there are many hiccups.I was a little nervous about the story because I was so annoyed at first. However, I love them both. They just get each other and love each other so deeply. I wanted to both throttle and cuddle them. It is such a satisfying read. I rarely see such beautiful development between two characters. I am so pleased with how it ended, and I am dreaming for the days of an extended epilogue lmao 🤣I did have some conflicting opinions about some side characters *cough* Hayden *cough* but those are probably me reaching. I think I could dissect these books for hours (and I did while reading them) but there is only so much typing space on here 😉

This book was fantastic. There were scenes that brought me to tears. Emotional HEA. Don’t think another m/m romance can do it for me like this one.

Produto chegou um pouco amassado, mas nada absurdo.As folhas são na qualidade padrão gringa e nem se comparam às brasileiras mas isso é esperado.Quanto a história foi perfeita, muito sensível e responsável nas questões abordadas e os personagens são incríveis

I love this, the characters and the feelings this made me fell. A billions of laughs are inside this book and happiness

Maravillosa historia!!!

I'm glad I read this and I felt every emotion in every page and ughhhhhh I want more of them. At least an epilogue of like 5years with 5 Stanley's. Guy's just read and oh my God, Ilya you're the best. I really wish I could I hug you. I savored this book every second. No matter what and how many books I read you're going to be my favorite because I already chose you.