Review: Time to Shine

Title: Time to Shine
Author: Rachel Reid
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, LGBTQ
Publisher: Carina
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: September 26, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A merry and bright hockey romance about finding your place, finding your people and finding your way back to the one you love the most. 

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.

Review:

Landon Stackhouse is a goalie who’s called up to play for Calgary in the NHL when their backup goalie is injured. Landon is terrified, but his new teammate Casey Hicks makes it a bit easier because he’s so friendly. Casey invites Landon to stay with him at his huge house, but he has an ulterior motive because he has a crush on him. Landon is quiet and standoffish, so it takes a while for him to warm up to the outgoing Casey. As the holidays get nearer, romance is in the air, but Landon’s time in Calgary is almost up. 

This was my first hockey romance and I loved it. It was so cute because it was between two hockey players on the same team. I loved how supportive everyone was around them. Their friends and family loved both guys and wanted them to be happy together. This story had such a cute ending too!

Time to Shine is a steamy hockey romance!

Thank you HarperCollins Canada for providing a copy of this book. 

Content warnings: death of sibling, car accident (off page)

Have you read Time to Shine? What did you think of it?