The Shots You Take

A sweet and sexy hockey romance about two ex-teammates and former best friends with benefits who are about to discover whether you can ever really have a second chance. From the New York Times bestselling author of the Heated Rivalry, Rachel Reid.

After moving back to his hometown ten years ago, Riley Tuck thought he had left his major league hockey career—and his broken heart—far behind. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes, it brings ex-teammate and former best friend with benefits Adam Sheppard back into his life.

Coming to the small town of Avery River, Nova Scotia, might have been a mistake. Adam’s not sure he’ll ever win back Riley’s trust after the way they left things—and the attention he’s getting as a huge hockey star isn’t exactly helping. Yet the chemistry that crackles between them is undeniable, even now.

As Adam helps Riley navigate his grief, long-buried feelings start to resurface. But they’ll have to square off with their complicated past if they’re going to have a real shot at a new beginning.

Need more Rachel Reid?! Dive into her other hockey romance titles. . .

Standalones
• Time to Shine
• The Shots You Take

The Game Changers Series
• Book 1: Game Changer
• Book 2: Heated Rivalry
• Book 3: Tough Guy
• Book 4: Common Goal
• Book 5: Role Model
• Book 6: The Long Game
• Book 7: Unrivaled

Great 2nd Chance M/M Hockey Romance!

I lost my mother nearly 3 yrs ago but the feeling is still so raw that I found myself crying right along with Riley as he mourned his father's unexpected passing. My mom's was expected but it still hurts. At first I wanted Riley to have nothing to do with Adam because of his bone-headed oblivious ways he treated Riley. But as all 2nd chance romances goes, he eventually wised up and Riley melted so eventually we have our 12+ years late HEA. Greg Boudreaux was awesome as always.

4 Starz - worthy of a repeat listen

Sweet romance & grief

Makes me want to spend a summer in Nova Scotia. Racy descriptions & fun interactions between two former hockey teammates. It entertained me though not as much as Heated Rivalry.

This Book Wrecked Me (In the Best Way)

The Shots You Take isn’t just a romance, it’s an emotionally layered story about grief, identity, mental health, and the quiet courage it takes to be vulnerable in a world that often rewards emotional restraint. What makes this book stand out is how it refuses to separate love from pain; instead, it shows how the two coexist, how past trauma shapes the way we give and receive affection, and how healing isn’t linear or guaranteed. Reid writes male vulnerability with a level of depth and honesty that feels rare…these characters aren’t just falling in love, they’re learning how to exist with themselves. There’s something deeply human about the way the story unfolds: raw, intimate, and at times overwhelming, but ultimately grounded in the idea that choosing connection, even when it’s terrifying, is its own form of bravery. This is the kind of book that doesn’t just stay with you it quietly changes the way you think about love, resilience, and what it means to be seen.

The believable characters developed by Rachel

I'm enjoying this story as it was quite different from her other books in that it picks up after hockey live. A few times I felt like I was gonna be very sad at the end. I'm very glad I was not.

Wonderful second chance romance

I loved the take on second chance romance in this story. Required but rejected love that re-emerges over a decade later was such a heart rending twist on the trope. The story had heart and depth that had my heart breaking for the characters and cheering when they figured it out.
The narrators were great and fit the characters perfectly!