Common Goal: Now Streaming on Crave and HBO Max (Game Changers: Heated Rivalry Book Series 4)

I’ve owned this series for a while and have never gotten around to reading it. I was looking up audiobooks by one of my favorite narrators, Cooper North, and saw that he narrated books 4-6, so I had to give them a listen. And I’m so glad that I did! I freaking loved this book! Kyle is still trying to decide exactly what direction he wants to go career-wise, so he’s working at a bar while getting his master’s degree in a field that he enjoys but maybe not as a full-time career. Eric is a veteran goalie for the local pro hockey team and on the other side of things where he may be ready to retire but afraid of being lonely without a partner to enjoy it with. Eric and Kyle meet at a bar, have an immediate connection, and things eventually lead to a casual arrangement with the initial intention of Eric experiencing what it’s like to be with a man. This book includes a 16 year age gap, a flipped power dynamic (the younger guy is much more experienced with relationships and s*x), demi/ace representation, super spicy scenes, an athlete who comes out, and more. I loved loved loved this book. Because Eric is probably demi, much of this book was Eric and Kyle getting to know each other and building a really lovely friendship. Despite Eric’s worries over the age gap, these two connect right away and just love being together. Kyle is SO patient and understanding, and honestly Eric had to know what a gem he had found. Seriously, I adored Kyle! Ultimately I really, really loved how well…

This is the 4th book in the Game Changers series. Each book follows a different couple and can be read as a standalone, but I would definitely recommend reading them in order as characters from previous books make an appearance in the following books and there are spoilers. This book is the story of Kyle and Eric both of whom we first see in Game Changer. Kyle works with Kip and has always had a bit of a crush on him but since Kip is in a relationship with Scott he knows they will never be anything more than friends. Eric and Kip's fiance Scott play on the same hockey team. Eric is newly divorced and anxious not only about retiring this season and what that will mean for him but he's also nervous about being open and honest about his bi-sexuality. He was married to his wife for a long time and has never really dated men so he's not sure what to expect and not sure about it will be perceived. Since Kyle and Eric know each other from Scott and Kip, Kyle agrees to help him get back into the dating scene. What starts as a friendship and innocent flirting soon develops into something more. Can Kyle get past the secret he's been running from and can Eric get past the age difference between him and Kyle or will their relationship be doomed from the start? At first I didn't really care for Kyle's character. I just couldn't connect to him and he felt a little annoying to me in the fact he couldn't get past how he liked Kip. As the story developed and he opened up more and more to…

This was a nice continuation of the series but not the strongest writing. Eric is a well-developed character and three dimensional. He felt like a real human being going through major changes. Kyle I did not like. I found him tiresome and flat. Not someone I would care for. Where is the humanity in Kyle? Hopefully, the rest of the books will lift this one from the low point of the bell curve.

Another one down & yet another queer couple written by Rachel Reid that I’m completely in love with. One thing I admire about her, is how well crafted her storylines & characters are. This story centers around an older man finally giving himself permission to explore a part of his sexuality he never has before & a younger bartender offers to guide him through that exploration. While that alone is unique, the way Rachel tackles this story is so multilayered. There are beautiful scenes of exploration, incredible moments of consent & clear communication, some concern about the age gap, nuanced romance & support, and so much more. Plus, I loved how both characters compliment each other, which is another staple of the romance genre & Rachel’s writing in particular. Eric wants to give his mind a break & feel safe enough to explore new things. Kyle wants to be taken care of & feel needed/wanted by someone he sees as powerful & confident. Both of them find what they’re looking for in the other & that gives them a sense of peace. Of course, it can’t just be that simple: I want this, you give me this, I like you, let’s run off into the sunset together. No, we need to have conflict & earn our HEAs around here, which Rachel offers us too. This book was intimate, spicy, beautiful, funny (the Ilya moments, obviously), & I really liked it. Some of the events from books 2 & 3 play out here along with the timeline, & some of those characters make appearances, but for the most part, this is…

I enjoyed this one! It was easy to read and on the more lighthearted side even with some of the things they were dealing with. I enjoyed getting to know Eric more and seeing how he started going about exploring this other side of him. He was drawn to Kyle and wanted to figure out what that meant. Eric is divorced from his wife and bi and after being around Kyle some at the Kingfisher bar while hanging out with his best friend and teammate Scott, is trying to figure out how to explore his bisexual side and the connection/attraction he feels with Kyle. He is worried about the age gap though and bringing Kyle down while also not really knowing what to do since he was married for so long and out of the dating game as well as having never pursued anything with a man. I enjoyed the dynamics between Kyle and Eric. Eric is a little more on the submissive side and is not the one that wants to be in full control and Kyle is great at being the more dominant partner in that respect. It was cute and I really worked and played well with their personalities. It fit. At first, everything is supposed to be casual and to help Eric get some experience but both have deeper feelings early on but aren't sure how to handle it and having it become more and deeper. This story was an easy one to read and it flowed well. I enjoyed getting to see past characters and had fun with it. Looking forward to the next one.