Game Changer

“Yeah.” Scott smiled. He looked up at Kip, and he knew. He knew for sure. Scott Hunter was in love.”

Game Changer follows closeted hockey superstar Scott Hunter and sweet barista Kip Grady, whom he meets after ordering a blueberry smoothie post-run. Their story is undeniably cute—soft, warm, and easy to read—but unfortunately, that was mostly it for me. While pleasant, it didn’t quite stand out or leave a lasting impression 😔😔

I liked both characters well enough, and they genuinely complemented each other. They brought out the best in one another and shared some very tender moments. That said, they fell in love far too quickly for my taste 🙅‍♀️🙅‍♀️ The first half of the book moved at lightning speed, and because they jumped into sex scenes before truly getting to know each other, those moments lacked the emotional weight I usually look for. I’m not a huge slow-burn fan, but I also don’t enjoy couples rushing into things quite this fast 👎👎

“Congrats on the win,” Kip said awkwardly.

“Thanks. I’ve missed you.”

Scott’s voice broke on the last word. Kip opened his arms, and Scott fell into them.

“I’m so sorry,” Scott whispered. “Please give me a chance to make it better.”

“Shh.” Kip kissed the top of his head and held him close.

What truly made me care about their relationship were the struggles caused by Scott’s closetedness. The loneliness and quiet pain Kip felt were so raw and believable that I couldn’t help but feel heartbroken for him 🥺🥺 These moments finally grounded the story and gave the relationship the emotional depth it needed 💯💯

Despite their mistakes, Scott and Kip never gave up on each other. They worked toward becoming better versions of themselves, and when they felt weak, they found comfort in one another. I always appreciate meaningful character growth, and this part of the story worked for me 🥰🥰

Even though my tone has been more critical than enthusiastic, I did like following Scott and Kip’s journey. It’s not a groundbreaking read, but it is sweet and comforting—and I can easily see many readers loving it. Give it a try 😊😊