A review by ladybird4prez
The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid

5.0

This is second chance romance at its finest. I truly believe it’s a difficult trope to pull off but this is flawless. The characters, their history, the time that’s passed, and the conversations/interactions they have all make it not only believable but something to actively root for. Adam and Riley have a complicated history and they’re complex people navigating difficult situations who still deeply care about each other. There’s regret, mistakes, maturity, room for growth and missteps, and above all, an enduring (but recultivated) love. There’s no flinching away from the pain and messiness but the payoff is beautiful and so worth it. 

Some authors just know romance. They get at the very heart of it and understand how every glance and brief touch can carry so much weight and longing. The yearning and care and affection that can be communicated through the simplest gestures. There’s an abundance of that here and I don’t know what to say besides chef’s kiss (chef who’s making soup and wearing a lil apron of course).

I’d say this one is more hockey-adjacent in that it explores the detrimental effects such a demanding sport can take on the body and mind and the even more harmful expectations for athletes to accept and embrace it as part of the job. And I loved it! (and that’s coming from someone who typically likes a generous helping of hockey in hockey romances.) Looking at these issues through two retired NHL players trying to reconcile the sport’s impact on their lives both then and now is done so well. 

It’s hilarious, it’s emotional (Grieving Novia Scotians are back baby!), and it’s romantic. The dual timeline, the reconciliation, the older mcs, the messiness but ultimate maturity…yeah, you’ll want to grab this as soon as it’s out.

Huge huge thank you to Harlequin/Carina Adores and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I was ready to do something drastic like sell my soul for an early copy so I’m glad it was a lot simpler than that.