Time to Shine
Rachel Reid
2023
382 pages
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
MM Sports Romance (Hockey)
Plot: Casey Hicks may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but he knows a brooding, lonely guy in need of a hug when he sees one. And Landon Stackhouse really needs a hug. The quiet, hulking goalie just got called up to the NHL after Casey’s teammate was injured during a nasty play, and it’s obvious that Landon isn’t convinced he’s good enough to be here.
Casey loves people and is the life of the party, so it makes sense that he should be the one to officially welcome Landon to the team. Casey also has a terrible fear of being alone, so inviting Landon to be his roommate would help them both out. Of course, Casey didn’t expect that Landon would be so delectable, either.
For Landon, it’s hard to resist Casey’s relentless cheer. There’s something infectious about being with him, and it isn’t long before Landon starts believing in happiness again, even though he doesn’t deserve it. And what’s the point anyway? As the back-up to the back-up goalie, Landon knows his time with the team is limited. It’ll be hard enough to say goodbye, even without all these pesky FEELINGS.
First Take: I really loved this book. It’s such a ray of sunshine. A lighthearted little Christmas miracle. These two are so adorable you just want to put them in your pocket and carry them around with you forever. Casey is completely outrageous and his golden retriever heart had me LOLing left and right. He’s just so innocent and fun to be around. And Landon is the type of character you just want to hug and protect forever. I felt so much joy from start to finish.
Praises: I’ve read all of Rachel Reid’s books, and I really love how she combines romance and hockey so seamlessly. It’s always the perfect amount of both. It’s super fun to play in the games alongside the characters and then see what they get up to during the little moments in-between. Reid is so good at giving us a decent glimpse of the action. I also loved that we get a character who isn’t conventionally brilliant. It’s like every MC in the romance world has to be the smartest, most handsome man in the room. And Casey shows us that there is more than one type of intelligence, and that brains aren’t even the most important thing (it’s love, obviously).
Critiques: If I had one critique, and I’m not really even sure this IS a critique, I might say that this story is extra light and fluffy in its tone. It is definitely a Christmas romance. There’s very little angst and lots and lots of cozy cuddles *sigh*. It is the perfect feel good, warm & toasty holiday novel. This relentless cheer kept Landon’s grief and trauma and general moroseness from being too much of a downer, but I also felt maybe the tone was sometimes not quite grave enough? I guess I expected to suffer a little more. Also, I thought Casey’s POV felt more like that of a late teenager or early college kid. I kept picturing him in my mind as an extremely young person, rather than a grownup professional hockey player. I’d say that feeling had resolved by the end of the story, but I found I kept having to remind myself throughout that neither one of them were eighteen.
Prose: 3rd person POV from Landon and Casey. I feel like it’s really important to mention Landon’s (implied) demisexuality. Representation is so important, and I think people assume that to have a successful relationship, a certain amount of intimate activity is required. Landon and Casey show us that isn’t the case at all. They do a fab job of respecting each other’s boundaries and figuring out what works for them (and maybe teaching us readers a thing or two along the way). In this respect they are both very wise beyond their years.
Steam: 💜💜💜💜 It’s a pretty slow burn, but once these two get going, the steam is extra sweet.
Cliffhanger: HEA, No cliffhanger.
Memorable quotes:
“You look really good,” Casey said. And that was when Landon decided to spend way too much money on a sweater.
He wanted to just be with Landon at the party, and then be with him some more when they got back home. And then later in bed. And then the next morning. And maybe every day and night after that.
Casey always offered fun and joy. All Landon ever had to do was say yes.
Stand-Alones, Prequels, Sequels, & Tangents: Standalone novel.
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From the Publisher
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A 2023 favorite
Time to Shine is a holiday-esque romance about two hockey players, Landon Stackhouse (Stacks) and Casey Hicks. Landon is on the Calgary AHL team but is called up to the big leagues after their backup NHL goalie suffers an injury. Landon is super introverted and finds comfort in being alone. But his new teammate, Casey, is a social butterfly. He’s bubbly, outgoing, and an actual ray of freaking sunshine. He tries to pull out all the stops to get Stacks out of his shell, but it’s only after Stacks moves in with Casey that he starts to see Stacks hard exterior begin to soften. The two form a deep bond, opening up to one another about things they’ve never discussed with anyone.This was… an absolute freaking delight. 10/10 would recommend. My new favorite comfort read. I’ve already submitted it for a Pulitzer and Nobel Peace Prize.So first and foremost I would commit all the crimes for Casey Hicks. He can do no wrong EVER. He is the smartest, kindest, most angelic human being to ever exist. And Landon is a sweet and sensitive little angel that deserves all the love. I’m just completely obsessed with these two and how much they better one another 😭 Honestly, I adored everyone in this book. Every. Single. Person. I’m giggling and kicking my little feet just writing this review because I’m 97% sure my brain chemistry has been permanently altered and I’ll be riding this serotonin high for as long as possible.Run, don’t walk. Get this book ASAP. Give your heart a much needed reprieve from all the chaos around you. And then come back here and ask me how you can ever repay me because you’ll be so thankful I put this story in your orbit.
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