Host Jo Reed is joined by Kirkus fiction editor Laurie Muchnick for a deep dive into Rachel Reid’s six-book Game Changers series. The basis for the HBO sensation Heated Rivalry, the books are a blend of pro hockey, queer romance, and unapologetic “spice.” The conversation zeroes in on two key audiobooks—Game Changer, read by Tor Thom, and The Long Game, read by Cooper North—highlighting how each narrator shapes character, tone, and emotional depth in very different ways. Along the way, Jo and Laurie consider what these romances promise (yes, a happily-ever-after), what they explore (from homophobia in sports to mental health), and how listening—especially to scenes of intimacy—changes the experience. A lively look at a very hot series—where performance shapes the story as much as the writing, and the chemistry comes through loud and clear.

Audiobooks Discussed:

Game Changer by Rachel Reid, read by Tor Thom (Tantor Media)

The Long Game by Rachel Reid, read by Cooper North (Harlequin Audio)

Other audiobooks in the Game Changers series by Rachel Reid:

Heated Rivalry and Tough Guy, read by Tor Thom (Tantor Media)

Common Goal and Role Model, read by Cooper North (Harlequin Audio)

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Hockey, Heat, and Two Very Different Voices