I stole some moments to finish reading _The Long Game_ today. I'm all squishy inside! This book served many tearful moments, terrifying and terrific. 🥲 It's a sappy perfect ending, but the serious issues were handled seriously, and it helps a man to know that it's more than okay to be emotionally vulnerable and emotionally available. Through and after it all, it ends happily-ever-after, and I wouldn't be sad if this was the last book of the series.

#RachelReid

‘Heated Rivalry’ Goes All In on Physical Media Including Special Edition Blu-Ray and DVD
#Lifestyle #Shopping #ConnorStorrie #Crave #HBOMax #HeatedRivalry #HudsonWilliams #International #JacobTierney #RachelReid

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/shopping/heated-rivalry-bluray-dvd-ill-believe-in-anything-book-1236612287/

I'm about halfway reading through _The Long Game_. Chapter 17, Troy Barrett (from _Role Model_) has finally showed up on Ilya's Ottawa team!

(spoilers)

We've discovered that Ilya's depression stems from the death of his mother and perhaps his troubled relationships with his late father and his brother, his move to losing Ottawa, his secret bisexuality, and keeping his romance with Shane hidden. Shane, noticing moments of sadness, asks Ilya to talk to a therapist, which he does.

#RachelReid

I've started reading _The Long Game_, which comes back to Shane and Ilya and their life together as a committed but not out couple. After reading _Role Model_ I'm interested to see how Ilya developed to be an emotionally supportive -- or at least _perceptive_ -- team captain.

(spoilers ahead)
We're beginning to see some friction in the arguments between Shane and Ilya. In ch. 7 another regular season (of separation) has begun, and Ilya's troubled emotional state is deepening.

#RachelReid

I enjoyed reading _Role Model_ a lot. It has lovable protagonists, hateable antagonists, hockey plays, and on-ice fights. And hot gay sex. Troy's character has an arc - he overcame his relations to two toxic men, and he came out to those who accept him as well as those who reject him. That and the mutual care and love he shares with Harris turned him from grump to sunshine.

I was happy for Troy and Harris, much more so than for Eric and Kyle, or Ryan and Fabian.

#RachelReid

Chapter 10 of _Role Model_. Aww, I think I'm going to shed a tear. It's the evening before Ottawa travels to play Troy's former team from where he was traded in disgrace. Troy is a nervous wreck. Harris has just invited Troy to a ride in his truck to see Christmas lights. 🥲 How sweet!

#RachelReid