Title: Time to Shine
Author: Rachel Reid
Published: September 26, 2023
Publisher: Carina Press
Readership: Adult
Genre: Hockey Romance
Rating: ★★★★★
I received a copy of Time to Shine from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For Landon Stackhouse, being called up from the Calgary farm team is exciting and terrifying, even if, as the backup goalie, he rarely leaves the bench. A quiet loner by nature, Landon knows he gives off strong “don’t talk to me” vibes. The only player who doesn’t seem to notice is Calgary’s superstar young winger, Casey Hicks.
Casey treats Landon like an old friend, even though they’ve only interacted briefly in the past. He’s endlessly charming and completely laid-back in a way that Landon absolutely can’t relate to. They couldn’t have less in common, but Landon needs a place to live that’s not a hotel room and Casey has just bought a massive house—and hates being alone.
As roommates, Casey refuses to be defeated by Landon’s one-word answers. As friends, Landon comes to notice a few things about Casey, like his wide, easy smile and sparkling green-blue eyes. Spending the holidays together only intensifies their bromance-turned-romance. But as the new year approaches, the countdown to the end of Landon’s time in Calgary is on.
Time to Shine by Rachel Reid is a queer/MM hockey romance that is like a warm, cozy, positive hug of a book. Landon, an AHL goalie called up the NHL for the first time, isn’t sure how he’s going to fit into the team, being quiet and introverted. He isn’t given the chance to fade into the background as Casey, the life-of-the-party star winger automatically takes him under his wing, and when Landon ends up staying with the team longer than expected, offers him a place to stay in his home. This is a win-win situation because Casey – for all his positive, outgoing nature – hates to be on his own and finds his own (big) house daunting, and having a roommate makes it seem less overwhelming. From there, the two build a friendship, bromance, and eventually a romance that’s completely heartwarming and lovely.
It’s really nice to read a queer hockey romance that leans into a lovely, positive and low-angst world (because sometimes, that’s just what you need). There’s a great dynamic between both characters, playing in on the opposites attract trope, without it overpowering the narrative. Casey – for all that he’s a full-on personality – is incredibly emotionally intelligent and a complete cinnamon roll. He’s out and proud and welcoming and inclusive of everyone. I also appreciated the exploration of a character figuring out his sexuality (Landon is coded as demisexual).
I hope there’s more books set in this world with these characters, because it was honestly just a delight to read.
Noveltea Corner 