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January is such a long month and can feel like it drags on and on. But you know what’s great about a month like that? You can fit in soo many great reads, and that is just what I did! This was the month that all I wanted to do was read the Game Changer series by Rachel Reid. I am still very much in the Heated Rivalry psychosis. My brain is pretty much 80% Heated Rivalry content 🤣. However, I forgot how great it is to read a whole completed series* all the way through. So satisfying! Besides this series, I did fit in a couple of ARCs. One of those being the first dark romance I ACTUALLY enjoyed. Dark romance is not my genre, guys. Anywho, here are all my January reads and what I thought of them.
ARCs I Read This Month
Pretty Vicious by Lexi Davis
I have a full review of Pretty Vicious up already, but I will say that as someone whose primary genre is not dark romance, this one had me HOOKED! I think I have finally found my niche in this genre.
Perfect Strangers by J. Rhys
Another ARC I read this month, and while Perfect Strangers didn’t evoke all the emotions that all the other books I read, it was still a fun, good time.
The Game Changer Series
Game Changer by Rachel Reid
I have one word for you…Skip! I read this book after watching Heated Rivalry for the first time, obviously, and I’m actually glad I did. There was a lot of discourse online about how Jacob condensed their story into one episode, and I can see why people were upset. I had the opposite reaction. I appreciated both more after reading this book. Okay, enough about the show. I loved this book! I really appreciated the balance Rachel made between the spicier moments and the tender, real moments. The way Scott & Kip navigate the issues they face, it felt like I was in the shoes of a real couple. On a lighter note, this story had me giggling and kicking my feet the whole time reading.
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Now, this was my second read of Heated Rivalry, and I’m here to tell you that it was a much better reading experience. I decided this time to not immersive read, which was the issue the first time. Shane and Ilya are my boys. I love them, period. I became more emotionally invested in their story (even though I was fully in after watching the show). Someone said online somewhere that this is Shane’s book, and I wholeheartedly agree. As readers, we go along with him on his journey to discovering what he is and what he wants out of this relationship with Ilya. It’s just beautiful.
Tough Guy by Rachel Reid
This is where my ratings go lower than 4 stars. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy Tough Guy, because I think every one of these books has its merits, it’s just that I wasn’t as invested in the love story between Ryan and Fabian. All I have to say is that Ryan Price, you big teddy bear, and I did like the anxiety/mental health representation.
Common Goal by Rachel Reid
Common Goal was my least favorite book in the series. I found Eric spent way too much time worrying about the age gap between him and Kyle. Part of me gets it because we all have our limits, but in the end, is it something that should really matter when you love the person? This was also the book in which I finally realized that Ilya shows up in every single book. Am I aware that this is an interconnected series? Yes! Did Ilya showing up still make me giddy? Yes! Yes, it did.
Role Model by Rachel Reid
There was something about Troy and Harris’s story that just got me in the feels. Role Model is my favorite book in the series (Don’t get me wrong, I love Ilya & Shane with all my heart too). It is the only 5-star rating I gave for the series. Before I go any further, I want to make sure you check your trigger warnings with this one. There are mentions of SA. Okay, now that that’s out of the way. OMG! Troy and Harris are sooo cute ☺️😆 Troy took a journey to discover, and Harris was there for him every step of the way. Without giving away too much, because I want you guys to go into this on your own, I was in tears most of this book. Actually, more like ugly crying. The ending will break you, in a good way.
The Long Game by Rachel Reid
As I said above, with Heated Rivalry, The Long Game is Ilya’s book. To be back with my boys again was like coming home. This book broke me, though. Watching, or rather reading, Ilya go through his mental health struggles…I was simultaneously so proud of him for seeking help, but I also wanted to wrap him up in a big hug and let him cry it out. And I have beef with Rachel (just jokes). Rachel, did you really have to make us go through the plane ordeal again?! IYKYK.
Let’s just say that I need all of the Game Changer series physically on my shelf like YESTERDAY!!! I had a fun, good time reading this month. What was your favorite book in January? Let me know in the comments.
*Correction: Rachel Reid just announced her newest book, Unrivaled, which will be Ilya and Shane’s third book.
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