The Long Game

03 · Reader evidence

What the evidence says

What readers repeatedly liked

• Emotional. The book produces a massive emotional response and book hangover in readers; The progression from meeting as teens to living and loving out loud is described as beautiful and heartwarming; The book crushes readers emotionally and then beautifully puts them back together. Supported by 6 sources (source 450, source 10730, source 10731, source 10732, source 10733, source 11227).
• Character Growth. The book contains significant character growth and relationship development for both leads; Ilya shows wonderful character development, including seeking therapy for depression and growing as a person; The book is a personal journey focused on coming out, therapy, and growing together, with Shane learning hard lessons and stepping up for Ilya. Supported by 6 sources (source 10730, source 10731, source 10732, source 10733, source 10734, source 11228).
• Complex Characters. Ilya is noted as having an asshole personality that the reviewer previously struggled with, though his growth is praised; Both leads have layered issues; Shane tries in many ways including learning Russian and suggesting therapy, while Ilya hides struggles, reflecting their different backgrounds; Ilya is shown as larger-than-life and snarky but with a softer, vulnerable side; Shane is modest but blinded by career fears. Supported by 5 sources (source 10731, source 10732, source 10733, source 10734, source 11228).
• Hea. The HEA feels earned after two books of struggle between Shane and Ilya; The couple comes out stronger and feels like they will have their HEA, continuing to change hockey with their acceptance; Multiple readers confirm no breakups occur and the couple ends happily together. Supported by 4 sources (source 10730, source 10731, source 10732, source 10733).
• Emotional Intimacy. Ilya shows love in quiet, attentive ways throughout the book, being deeply in tune with Shane; The book features very emotional and romantic scenes between the two leads; The book depicts a mature love where partners work through how to be together, with commitment that never wavers despite issues. Supported by 4 sources (source 10730, source 10731, source 10732, source 10733).
• Satisfying Ending. The ending is described as really satisfying despite involving struggle and conflict; The ending is satisfying but feels tied up in a convenient and somewhat unrealistic way; Several readers found the ending satisfying despite the difficult journey. Supported by 3 sources (source 10730, source 10732, source 10733).
• Genre Fans. The reviewer enjoyed the series and would read more if the author wrote them; TLG can be understood as a standalone but everything is more meaningful with knowledge of the broader series; reader enjoyed it more on re-read after reading other books. Supported by 2 sources (source 10731, source 11227).
• Strong Prose. One reader found it better written than the preceding book; The writing is described as smooth, immensely readable, and comfortable without being showy; Depression depiction is excellent and realistic; dramatic irony from the dual POV creates effective tension. Supported by 3 sources (source 10732, source 10733, source 11228).
• Romance Forward. The book focuses heavily on the couple’s relationship work and development after years of secrecy; The author does a wonderful job with relationship and character development while keeping the characters true to themselves. Supported by 2 sources (source 10731, source 10733).
• Strong Narration. Cooper North’s audiobook narration is praised as a fantastic performance and a key reason readers love the audiobook; Cooper North’s narration in the audiobook is enjoyed and described as wonderful. Supported by 2 sources (source 10730, source 10733).
• Explicit Recommendation. Reader recommends the CU hockey, Puckboys, and Fake Boyfriends series by Eden Finely and Saxon James as comfort reads to move on with; A reader recommends reading Role Model by Rachel Reid before The Long Game for additional perspective on shared scenes. Supported by 2 sources (source 10730, source 10732).
• Healthy Communication. Ilya discloses his depression and medication exploration to Shane before marriage, and Shane responds supportively; The couple is shown together throughout the book and discusses their relationship and future together. Supported by 2 sources (source 10730, source 10731).

What readers repeatedly flagged

• Satisfying Ending. The ending is satisfying but feels tied up in a convenient and somewhat unrealistic way; One reader found the ending unsatisfying and hated many of the choices made. Supported by 2 sources (source 10730, source 10732).
• Flat Characters. Shane is underdeveloped compared to Ilya; his struggles with disordered eating, team isolation, and anxiety are not given enough page space or depth; A reviewer found one character flat and not three-dimensional. Supported by 2 sources (source 449, source 11228).
• Uneven Pacing. A reader notes the book wandered a bit at times, possibly due to covering some of the same ground as Role Model; Non-Ilya storylines feel rushed; the key post-fight conversation is resolved too quickly and Shane’s issues are magically wrapped up. Supported by 2 sources (source 10733, source 11228).

Where reader reactions differ

• Emotional. The book produces a massive emotional response and book hangover in readers; The progression from meeting as teens to living and loving out loud is described as beautiful and heartwarming; The book crushes readers emotionally and then beautifully puts them back together. Supported by 7 sources (source 450, source 10730, source 10731, source 10732, source 10733, source 11227, source 11228).
• Complex Characters. Ilya is noted as having an asshole personality that the reviewer previously struggled with, though his growth is praised; Both leads have layered issues; Shane tries in many ways including learning Russian and suggesting therapy, while Ilya hides struggles, reflecting their different backgrounds; Ilya is shown as larger-than-life and snarky but with a softer, vulnerable side; Shane is modest but blinded by career fears. Supported by 5 sources (source 10731, source 10732, source 10733, source 10734, source 11228).
• Satisfying Ending. The ending is described as really satisfying despite involving struggle and conflict; The ending is satisfying but feels tied up in a convenient and somewhat unrealistic way; Several readers found the ending satisfying despite the difficult journey. Supported by 3 sources (source 10730, source 10732, source 10733).
• Genre Fans. The reviewer enjoyed the series and would read more if the author wrote them; The book cannot stand alone and is really a continuation of the story from Heated Rivalry; readers need to have read that prior book; TLG can be understood as a standalone but everything is more meaningful with knowledge of the broader series; reader enjoyed it more on re-read after reading other books. Supported by 3 sources (source 10731, source 10733, source 11227).

Individual observations

• Likable Lead. Ilya is described as the series’ most beloved character, a delight, with a heart of gold beneath his sardonic attitude.
• Unlikable Lead. Multiple readers strongly disliked Shane in this book, finding him dismissive, oblivious, and uptight, though some softened by the end.
• Grief. The book mentions suicide of a parent and toxic parent as content warnings.
• Third Act Breakup. Multiple readers explicitly confirm there are no breakups in the book.
• Trauma. Content warnings include homomisia, depression, and public accidental outing.
• Rushed Ending. The ending feels lazy and rushed; Shane’s dietary issue is resolved in a single line without exploring the fallout, and the Montreal team conflict is left unresolved.
• Easy Comfort Read. The book serves as a comfort read that readers return to repeatedly.
• Distinctive Heat. The mirror scene where Ilya gets Shane off in his home gym and makes him watch is described as unique and memorable.
• Explicit Heat. Sex scenes are described as scorching and well written.
• Frequent Heat. Some readers felt there were too many sex scenes that became repetitive and didn’t advance the relationship or plot, though others felt they worked in context given the characters’ long separations.

Reader sources

1. Reddit discussion
2. dearauthor.com – Independent review
3. smartbitchestrashybooks.com – Independent review
4. Reddit discussion
5. redhairedashreads.com – Independent review
6. Reddit discussion
7. allaboutromance.com – Independent review
8. Reddit discussion
9. Reddit discussion
10. Reddit discussion