Tough Guy cover art

Tough Guy

Game Changers Series, Book 3

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Tough Guy

By: Rachel Reid
Narrated by: Tor Thom
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About this listen

They have nothing in common - so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he's with Fabian?

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he's determined to make a fresh start in the city's dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn't stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn't forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it's clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan's guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits - and the most amazing sex - Ryan's starting to feel something he hasn't experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

©2020 Rachelle Goguen (P)2020 Tantor Contemporary Contemporary Romance Romance Sports Hockey Village
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In this ‘opposites attract’ story, 6’7” muscular gentle giant, Ryan Price is completely different to his aggressive on-field persona. As his hockey team’s enforcer, Ryan starts and ends most on-field fights, whereas in person, he is unconfident, fears flying, and suffers panic attacks. He falls for Fabian Sala, who is short, feminine, and full of confidence. I really enjoyed the contrasts in this story as well as the incredibly sympathetic portrait of Ryan who suffers sexually due to his medications versus Fabian who is patient and understanding. I also enjoyed Ryan’s best friend, Wyatt, who is a great support. The only thing I missed in this book was the joy of hockey - Fabian dislikes hockey, Ryan has lost his love for the game, and the vast majority of this plot occurs off-field. Tor Thom narrated the 2nd audiobook with such verve, but in this third audiobook he returns to the flatter, less emotional tone of the first, so was pleasant but slightly less engaging.

A study of contrasts!

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I really liked the main couple of Tough Guy - Ryan & Fabian were so different personality wise, with Fabian being the more confident of the 2 while Ryan was really overwhelmed at times by anxiety.....BUT I enjoyed listening to this so much due to Ryan's personal progression across the storyline - starting to make connections & slowly developing friendships even though it was so hard for him to do so, and even standing up for himself at times.

I am really enjoying listening to this series, the performance from Tor Thom again a quality one.

loving listening to this series

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This is an opposites attract to more hockey romance, featuring Ryan Price and Fabian Salah, and is book three in the Game Changers series.

Ryan is a professional hockey player and travels all of North America to play, he hates flying and has anxiety. Fabian is a musician focusing on getting his music out there and doesn’t like hockey at all.

Ryan and Fabian knew each other when they were teenagers, when Ryan came to live with his family while he studied and played hockey. Both had a crush on each other but neither spoke up about it. Thirteen years later, they run in to each other and the spark is still there, woo hoo!

This book is hilarious at the start, both Ryan and Fabian have fantastic, supportive friends around them and the dialogue is so funny, made me laugh so much. Ryan’s anxiety was dealt with well too, poor guy, I just wanted to wrap him up in a hug but Fabian had that covered for us. They are a great pair, supportive, caring, patient, and completely drawn to each other. There is a brief break up, but they both sort themselves out and get back together.

We get cameos from Ilya and Shane too. And as always Ilya’s witty comments are gold.

This is a first read for me and I’m so glad I didn’t skip it, I loved it.

Things to expect in this MM romance are:
3rd book in series
Hockey Romance
Opposites attract
Hockey player x musician
Anxiety rep
Size difference
Teenage crush
MC wears make up
MC in lingerie
Slow-burn
S*x toy play
Bit of spice
3rd act breakup
HEA

Story of Ryan and Fabian

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.