📖 Overview
Rachel Reid is a Canadian romance author known for writing LGBTQ+ contemporary hockey romances. Her work primarily focuses on male/male relationships set against the backdrop of professional ice hockey.
Reid's most recognized series is Game Changers, which began with "Game Changer" in 2018 and includes several popular follow-up novels like "Heated Rivalry" and "Role Model." The series has gained attention for its portrayal of closeted professional athletes and the challenges they face in professional sports.
The author writes under the pen name Rachel Reid, while also publishing other romance works as Rachelle Goguen. Her books frequently address themes of coming out, found family, and navigating public life as an LGBTQ+ person in professional sports.
Reid's work has been recognized within the romance genre, with "Heated Rivalry" being particularly well-received and appearing on multiple "best of" lists in the romance reading community. Her writing style is noted for balancing emotional depth with sports action and contemporary social issues.
👀 Reviews
Readers connect with Reid's authentic portrayal of hockey culture and LGBTQ+ relationships in professional sports. Her characters' struggles with identity and acceptance feel real to fans of sports romance.
What readers liked:
- Detailed hockey scenes that integrate naturally with romance plots
- Complex emotional relationships between characters
- Accurate representation of Canadian hockey culture
- Balance of angst and humor
- Chemistry between main characters
What readers disliked:
- Some find the hockey terminology overwhelming
- Pacing issues in earlier books
- Secondary character development varies between novels
- Occasional repetitive plot elements
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- Game Changer: 3.8/5 (11,000+ ratings)
- Heated Rivalry: 4.3/5 (16,000+ ratings)
- Role Model: 4.1/5 (8,000+ ratings)
Amazon averages 4.4/5 across all titles
Common reader comment: "Heated Rivalry stands out for its authentic portrayal of a long-term secret relationship in professional sports."
📚 Books by Rachel Reid
Game Changer - A pro hockey player falls for a retired player-turned-cooking-show-host while training at his facility during the off-season.
Heated Rivalry - Two competing professional hockey players maintain a secret relationship across nearly a decade of rivalry on the ice.
Tough Guy - A recently retired enforcer returns to his hometown and reconnects with a family friend who runs a horse rescue.
Common Goal - A veteran goalie explores his bisexuality with the help of a younger bartender while playing his final season.
Role Model - A closeted NHL player develops feelings for his team's social media manager while working to support LGBTQ+ youth.
The Long Game - A continuation of the relationship between two rival hockey players as they navigate coming out publicly.
Game Winning Goal - A hockey player falls for his teammate's brother while dealing with career uncertainty.
Rookie Move - An NHL rookie develops feelings for his team captain's younger brother during his first season.
Heated Rivalry - Two competing professional hockey players maintain a secret relationship across nearly a decade of rivalry on the ice.
Tough Guy - A recently retired enforcer returns to his hometown and reconnects with a family friend who runs a horse rescue.
Common Goal - A veteran goalie explores his bisexuality with the help of a younger bartender while playing his final season.
Role Model - A closeted NHL player develops feelings for his team's social media manager while working to support LGBTQ+ youth.
The Long Game - A continuation of the relationship between two rival hockey players as they navigate coming out publicly.
Game Winning Goal - A hockey player falls for his teammate's brother while dealing with career uncertainty.
Rookie Move - An NHL rookie develops feelings for his team captain's younger brother during his first season.
👥 Similar authors
Lucy Lennox focuses on contemporary M/M romance with sports themes and found family dynamics. Her Made Marian and Forever Wilde series feature hockey players, athletes, and close-knit family relationships.
Eden Finley writes M/M hockey romance series like CU Hockey and Fake Boyfriend. Her books include teammates-to-lovers plots and professional sports settings.
Sarina Bowen creates romance novels centered on hockey players and professional athletes in series like Him and Brooklyn. She incorporates LGBTQ+ relationships and explores team dynamics in sports environments.
Leta Blake writes M/M romance with emotional depth and complex character development. Her Training Season series features figure skaters and includes themes of personal growth and second chances.
Taylor Fitzpatrick produces hockey romance focused on professional players and their relationships on and off the ice. Her work emphasizes team culture and slow-burn relationships between teammates.
Eden Finley writes M/M hockey romance series like CU Hockey and Fake Boyfriend. Her books include teammates-to-lovers plots and professional sports settings.
Sarina Bowen creates romance novels centered on hockey players and professional athletes in series like Him and Brooklyn. She incorporates LGBTQ+ relationships and explores team dynamics in sports environments.
Leta Blake writes M/M romance with emotional depth and complex character development. Her Training Season series features figure skaters and includes themes of personal growth and second chances.
Taylor Fitzpatrick produces hockey romance focused on professional players and their relationships on and off the ice. Her work emphasizes team culture and slow-burn relationships between teammates.