Troy Barrett wants hockey and solitude after a trade, a breakup and a scandal. Harris Drover wants to help the new player navigate his public presence, even when Troy resists the attention. Rachel Reid
The appeal is a difficult man learning to behave differently, rather than a cheerful partner simply overlooking bad conduct. Erin particularly values the repeated effort involved in Troy’s change. The Smut Report
Consider it for a warm hockey romance with an earned redemption emphasis; allow for serious discussion of sexual assault allegations and homophobic sports culture.
Provisional Eikna score: 4.0/5. Four core dimensions cover 85% of the quality weight. Ending satisfaction and reread appeal remain unscored; heat is excluded. Researched editorial assessment; no firsthand reading claimed. Evidence confidence: moderate.
A numeric heat level has not been established. Read the review’s heat and content discussion for attributed descriptions before choosing. An unknown level is not a closed-door or no-spice promise.
The heat-level guide explains detail and frequency; the glossary entry for spice separates sexual content from quality.
The romantic outcome is not established in this summary. A romance label does not independently confirm an ending. Consult the discussion before choosing if closure is essential.
For the difference between romantic commitment and wider plot closure, compare HEA, HFN and cliffhangers.
Standalone or continuing-series status is not established in this summary. Read the existing format and series guidance for any available context; do not assume a missing series entry means the book stands alone.
The series-order guide explains what to check when a complete romance belongs to a connected world.
| Title | Role Model |
|---|---|
| Author | Rachel Reid |
| Inspected edition | ebook |
| Publication scope | Not established |
| ISBN-13 | Not established |
| Edition page count | Not established |
The author or publisher evidence identifies the work. Publication dates refer to the stated edition or release scope, not automatically the first appearance of the story. Unknown identifiers and formats are left open.
Reid explicitly contrasts Troy’s hostility with Harris’s persistence and good cheer. Rachel Reid
Their work creates repeated contact. The reader can watch small gestures alter expectations before a public relationship becomes possible.
Owens praises the integration of the redemption story with warmth and humor. All About Romance
That matters because kindness alone would make an inadequate answer to earlier bullying. The relationship works best when accountability retains its place beside comfort.
Thebookcorps finds the courtship slower and sweeter than other entries, with friendship receiving substantial attention. Thebookcorps
Choose this if tenderness matters more than an uninterrupted run of sexual tension. Recurring teammates also make the couple part of a larger social world.
Erin notes continuing fear around family approval and online hostility, and suggests professional counseling would help Troy. The Smut Report
The book offers reassurance without making its situation consequence-free. Its optimism depends on finding support while learning to make better choices.
Owens describes a sexy romance and Erin compares its sensuality with earlier entries. The inspected wording does not establish scene frequency or exact numeric heat. All About Romance
Discussion of sexual assault and rape allegations, victim disbelief, homophobia, bullying, toxic parenting and anxiety is reported in the inspected criticism. Thebookcorps
Consider it for a warm hockey romance with an earned redemption emphasis; allow for serious discussion of sexual assault allegations and homophobic sports culture.
The judgments below belong to the named critics; their disagreement describes different readings, not a measured reader consensus.
Game Changers book five. Earlier books establish Troy’s reputation and recurring teammates; this entry centers Troy and Harris. Rachel Reid
A direct US product edition has not been verified. The Amazon link is a title-and-author search, with no specific format or availability promised. The paperback below matches the inspected Bookshop product. An audiobook destination remains unverified.
We may earn a commission from purchases through our links, at no extra cost to you. Search Amazon for the title and author.
Check the verified Bookshop paperback. ISBN 9781335534613 identifies this format; confirm price and availability at the retailer.
Quality scale: 1 substantial weaknesses; 2 weaknesses outweigh strengths; 3 mixed; 4 strengths outweigh limitations; 5 exceptional sustained strengths. Half points are allowed. Weights: romance 30%, characters 20%, writing 20%, emotional impact 15%, ending satisfaction 10%, reread appeal 5%. A provisional overall score divides the supported weighted sum by its supported weight and rounds once to one decimal. Heat is descriptive and excluded. These scores express the evidence-based judgment explained in this review.
Kindness with accountability
Provisional dimension score: 4/5.
A difficult lead becomes more legible
Provisional dimension score: 4/5.
Serious material within warmth
Provisional dimension score: 4/5.
Reassurance with remaining work
Provisional dimension score: 4/5.
Descriptive content, unscored
Outcome is separate from satisfaction
No documented editorial rereading
Reid explicitly describes grumpy, standoffish Troy opposite sunny, persistent Harris.
A contrast in temperament does not establish a light tone. The content notes above explain the reported concerns relevant to this specific book.
No. This assessment compares published criticism; ending satisfaction and reread appeal remain unscored.
Compare public scrutiny and an MM relationship that challenges the persona each man presents to the world.
Move to a historical MM relationship where practical cooperation opens space for private vulnerability.
Leave the arena for historical seclusion, where patient caregiving builds closeness between men.
The grumpy sunshine guide includes this book among other choices. Compare those options if its premise appeals but a limitation gives you pause. The Find a contrast in temperament that suits your reading mood explains the surrounding reading route and what to check before choosing.
Consider it for a warm hockey romance with an earned redemption emphasis; allow for serious discussion of sexual assault allegations and homophobic sports culture. Consider it for a warm hockey romance with an earned redemption emphasis; allow for serious discussion of sexual assault allegations and homophobic sports culture.
Search Amazon for the title and author when this balance matches what you want to read.
Checked October 6, 2026. The How this assessment was researched preserves attributions and research limits. Unknown details do not establish absence. Purchasing links use our account.
As an Amazon Associate, Eikna Romance earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Harlequin / Carina Press: The exact-title Book Details categories explicitly include Contemporary Romance. Classification verified; checked 2026-10-07.
Harlequin / Carina Press: Standoffish hockey player Troy Barrett wants to be left alone after a trade, while sunny, persistent team social media manager Harris Drover draws him into work on his online presence. Personality contrast mechanism verified; checked 2026-10-07.
The contemporary grumpy-sunshine collection compares this arrangement with guarded and outgoing partners in work, sport, temporary accommodation and performance, so you can choose the particular relationship contrast you want to read about.
MM Grumpy–Sunshine Romance: Hockey, Soccer and Guarded Attraction compares the surrounding relationship dynamics and explains the evidence limits for this selection.
The opposites-attract reading collection explains the particular contrast behind this choice and compares it with other reviewed books.
The cinnamon-roll romance reading collection explains the caring behavior and relationship context for this choice and compares it with other reviewed books.