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toribryan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Outing
shingekiyes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
i read this book for the first time last year. it is straight up pornography, but focuses way more on character this time around.
i was disappointed in how the plot was centered around coming out. i don’t think this sequel was necessary, but i would read anything about ilya rozanov. i would read his grocery list. his team roster. the ingredients in his antidepressants.
yes i would read this book again. no i will not be taking questions.
i was disappointed in how the plot was centered around coming out. i don’t think this sequel was necessary, but i would read anything about ilya rozanov. i would read his grocery list. his team roster. the ingredients in his antidepressants.
yes i would read this book again. no i will not be taking questions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Outing
Moderate: Homophobia, Medical content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
potatogrr's review against another edition
4.0
honestly mildly addicted to these idiots and glad they got a second book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Outing
readwritemads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
scmp73's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This was a beautiful way to wrap up Ilya and Shane’s story, and it was everything I hoped it would be. This book had me feeling all the emotions. I found myself cheering them on, crying with Ilya, and getting angry on their behalf. I love when books can make me feel emotionally invested like that.
I loved Shane being a little more confident and sure of himself as this book went on. He was a little more timid in the first book, so it was nice to see how he evolved and became more comfortable with who he was in this book. I loved his love of Ilya. I wish he would have attended therapy to work through some of the issues he had that made him want to keep the relationship a secret, but I did like that he seemed to do a bit to work on himself.
I loved Ilya. I loved him the most in their first book, and I loved him in this book. He was confident and strong, while also admitting that he needed help. His mental health struggles were hard, and he chose to get help for himself. This is what I love to see. MCs being open and honest with their mental health and seeking help when they need it. I also loved the community he built for himself in Ottowa. His friends and teammates were amazing, and I loved the relationships he developed with them as the book went on.
Shane and Ilya getting outed was what I was worried about throughout the first book and most of this one. I was figuring that was what would happen, but it still hurt my heart to read. I think my biggest issue with the way this book ended was the lack of anything happening to the shitty commissioner and Shane’s former teammates. I know people get away with this shit all the time in the real world, but I would have liked to see some of them get what they deserved.
I loved Shane being a little more confident and sure of himself as this book went on. He was a little more timid in the first book, so it was nice to see how he evolved and became more comfortable with who he was in this book. I loved his love of Ilya. I wish he would have attended therapy to work through some of the issues he had that made him want to keep the relationship a secret, but I did like that he seemed to do a bit to work on himself.
I loved Ilya. I loved him the most in their first book, and I loved him in this book. He was confident and strong, while also admitting that he needed help. His mental health struggles were hard, and he chose to get help for himself. This is what I love to see. MCs being open and honest with their mental health and seeking help when they need it. I also loved the community he built for himself in Ottowa. His friends and teammates were amazing, and I loved the relationships he developed with them as the book went on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Outing
cluckieduck's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oh man, I am having a hard time reviewing this one because it is so obviously fan-service - filled with soooo much Rozander smut, but also touching on some really heavy issues surrounding depression, trauma, and stress which would have been better handled (I think) if there was more focus on the plot > porn. So, on the one hand I loved it - inject as much Ilya ❤ Shane content into my veins as possible, please. On the other hand, the writing felt a bit rushed with all the forced conflict to progress the story, which I felt was a disservice.
I loved how the story overlapped with some of the timeline in Role Model, especially surrounding a particular incident.
This go-round is very Ilya-centric and he does a lot of the heavy lifting plot-wise. A lot of the reviews shit on Shane, and yeah, he was a bit oblivious, but stress manifests differently in every one. Shane very obviously exhibited signs of disordered eating, but it was only brought up in a joking manner with an eye-roll at his expense. He also, IMO, showed signs of dissociation. Neither of these were really dealt/written about beyond the surface. Perhaps if he was given as much depth as Ilya was, maybe he could have been a bit more sympathetic of a character.
Before Ilya sought out his therapy, Shane directly asked him if he was ok, and that he would be there for him whether Ilya wanted to talk to him or not. Being in a relationship is hard enough (not even counting the fact that it's a secret one), but being in a relationship with a depressed partner presents it's own challenges. Especially when said partner keeps trying to push you away because they don't think they're good enough and deserving of happiness.
On a lighter note, there were so many cute moments in this one - I mean...Uncle Ilya & painting nails!?! Major swoon. And their talks about a future with children?? I just can't. I feel greedy in saying this, but I think they need another book (at least a novella) without any angst where they can just be settled, grounded, and happy in their relationship.
I have an idea about who the next book will be about (perhaps a certain Centaur rookie), so I look forward to seeing more of our past couples pop up in the future!
I loved how the story overlapped with some of the timeline in Role Model, especially surrounding a particular incident.
This go-round is very Ilya-centric and he does a lot of the heavy lifting plot-wise. A lot of the reviews shit on Shane, and yeah, he was a bit oblivious, but stress manifests differently in every one. Shane very obviously exhibited signs of disordered eating, but it was only brought up in a joking manner with an eye-roll at his expense. He also, IMO, showed signs of dissociation. Neither of these were really dealt/written about beyond the surface. Perhaps if he was given as much depth as Ilya was, maybe he could have been a bit more sympathetic of a character.
Before Ilya sought out his therapy, Shane directly asked him if he was ok, and that he would be there for him whether Ilya wanted to talk to him or not. Being in a relationship is hard enough (not even counting the fact that it's a secret one), but being in a relationship with a depressed partner presents it's own challenges. Especially when said partner keeps trying to push you away because they don't think they're good enough and deserving of happiness.
On a lighter note, there were so many cute moments in this one - I mean...Uncle Ilya & painting nails!?! Major swoon. And their talks about a future with children?? I just can't. I feel greedy in saying this, but I think they need another book (at least a novella) without any angst where they can just be settled, grounded, and happy in their relationship.
I have an idea about who the next book will be about (perhaps a certain Centaur rookie), so I look forward to seeing more of our past couples pop up in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Outing
Moderate: Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
bookishval's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is all a sequel has to be. Omg I can't believe I won't me able to read Shane and Ilya again, I was so invested in this story for only 3 days (how long it took me to read both books) and I cannot say goodbye yet. So let's talk about the book.
Following the events of Heated Rivalry, Shane and Ilya navigate thorugh the challenges of being in a relationship but still hiding from the world. I must say I was worried about this sequel, as I don't particulary like them. You see, whenever a couple has a second book, it always revolves around cheating, miscommunication or jealousy, and I was afraid it would ruin Heated Rivalry for me. But not at all.
I expected angst, and at some point I got it. This is no longer about Ilya and Shane's obvious sexual tension and unsaid feelings (although the spicy scenes were top notch as always, praise for that), but instead, this book focuses on Ilya's mental illness and how hiding their relationship affects each of them. I loved how in the first book, the protagonist role sort of fell to Shane, since everything was so new to him. He was exploring his sexuality, but dealing with the guilt of feeling attraction towards Ilya, his rival. And at the same time, being wary of his developing romantic feelings since Ilya was unconcerned.
But in The Long Game, the focus is on Ilya. We dive deeper into his childhood trauma and how all those feelings he bottled up over the years are affecting his relationship with Shane. It was such an emotional journey. First, his denial, not wanting to open the pandora box, afraid all these little moments he barely got with Shane would be gone if he stopped to think about himself. Then, when he faced the reality alone, seeking out help was necessary. And the angst was on. Ilya felt such raw emotions, and I was so proud of him for finally letting himself confront all these complicated feelings.
I loved how all of their bumps were written. Realistic, unfiltered feelings from both of them. But Shane and Ilya's love is so strong, nothing can get in their way. They had to faced doubts, distance, hell, it was Shane and Ilya against the word and I was living for it! Every single time Shane or Ilya reminded each other their feelings my heart flutter. They're so perfect for each other and I loved reading how their relationship only got stronger every step of the way.
Like I said before, I'm not ready to say goodbye to them. I'm more than willing to read anything if it's about them. I'll never get tired of them. I would love to read about their lives finally as teammates, as husbands and eventually as parents. I need a very domestic and cozy book only consisting of their everyday life, I would pay anything to have it. I don't know how I'll every read another sports romance again.
Honestly, Shane and Ilya ruined me for future books, but I'm not complaining.
Following the events of Heated Rivalry, Shane and Ilya navigate thorugh the challenges of being in a relationship but still hiding from the world. I must say I was worried about this sequel, as I don't particulary like them. You see, whenever a couple has a second book, it always revolves around cheating, miscommunication or jealousy, and I was afraid it would ruin Heated Rivalry for me. But not at all.
I expected angst, and at some point I got it. This is no longer about Ilya and Shane's obvious sexual tension and unsaid feelings (although the spicy scenes were top notch as always, praise for that), but instead, this book focuses on Ilya's mental illness and how hiding their relationship affects each of them. I loved how in the first book, the protagonist role sort of fell to Shane, since everything was so new to him. He was exploring his sexuality, but dealing with the guilt of feeling attraction towards Ilya, his rival. And at the same time, being wary of his developing romantic feelings since Ilya was unconcerned.
But in The Long Game, the focus is on Ilya. We dive deeper into his childhood trauma and how all those feelings he bottled up over the years are affecting his relationship with Shane. It was such an emotional journey. First, his denial, not wanting to open the pandora box, afraid all these little moments he barely got with Shane would be gone if he stopped to think about himself. Then, when he faced the reality alone, seeking out help was necessary. And the angst was on. Ilya felt such raw emotions, and I was so proud of him for finally letting himself confront all these complicated feelings.
I loved how all of their bumps were written. Realistic, unfiltered feelings from both of them. But Shane and Ilya's love is so strong, nothing can get in their way. They had to faced doubts, distance, hell, it was Shane and Ilya against the word and I was living for it! Every single time Shane or Ilya reminded each other their feelings my heart flutter. They're so perfect for each other and I loved reading how their relationship only got stronger every step of the way.
Like I said before, I'm not ready to say goodbye to them. I'm more than willing to read anything if it's about them. I'll never get tired of them. I would love to read about their lives finally as teammates, as husbands and eventually as parents. I need a very domestic and cozy book only consisting of their everyday life, I would pay anything to have it. I don't know how I'll every read another sports romance again.
Honestly, Shane and Ilya ruined me for future books, but I'm not complaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Outing
angelaocmon's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Outing, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
frantic_vampire's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Is it to early in the year to claim a favorite book? Because this book ripped my heart out, stomped on it a little bit, dusted it off and then put it back together. I actually cried! And it takes a lot for a book to make me cry, so you know The Long Game was good!
I loved that we got to dive back into Shane and Ilya’s story! We got so much more character development and growth. I loved that we got to see more of Ilya’s mental health journey and that he was able to finally make friends that he felt comfortable sharing his biggest secrets with. I also loved that we got to see Shane being more confident and comfortable with their relationship. I think the thing I hated was that they were outed and then had to deal with all the shitty ways that people treated them. I just wanted to hug them so badly.
Honestly, this book was everything that I wanted it to be and more. I’m pretty sure this is my favorite book in the the Game Changers series. The Long Game is getting a solid five stars and is definitely in the running to be my favorite book of the year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Outing, and Gaslighting
sarahmiller98's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Outing