Declan is joined by Jenn from The Book Refuge to dive into Tough Guy, the third book in Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series, and it’s quite the change of pace after Heated Rivalry.

This time, we’re talking Ryan Price and Fabian Salah, two characters who couldn’t seem more different, but who might be exactly what the other needs. We unpack Ryan’s anxiety and complicated relationship with hockey, Fabian’s unapologetic confidence and queerness, and why their much slower journey towards intimacy makes their relationship feel so different from Shane and Ilya’s.

We also get into the book’s exploration of toxic masculinity and hockey culture, the importance of friendship and support, Ryan’s experiences with performance anxiety, and the way Rachel Reid writes intimacy without making sex the end goal.

Plus, we ask whether Fabian is always quite as understanding as he thinks he is, discuss why Wyatt might secretly be one of the best characters in the series, and inevitably find several excuses to talk about Shane and Ilya again.

Is Tough Guy actually the best-written Game Changers book so far?

The next episode of the Long Game podcast will be released on Sunday 20th September 2026.

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Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/S22mVMWG5JA

Listen to Silvan’s ‘Silvates’ podcast on mental health and wellbeing here:

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697

00:00 Introduction to Tough Guy and the Series

02:15 Character Dynamics and Emotional Connections

05:18 Themes of Mental Health and Anxiety

08:09 Exploring Hockey Culture and Masculinity

10:03 Ryan and Fabian: A New Kind of Relationship

13:05 The Role of Support Systems in Mental Health

16:08 Fabian: The Antithesis of Traditional Masculinity

19:04 Concluding Thoughts on Character Growth and Relationships

26:59 Exploring Representation in MM Romance

30:10 Feminine Characters and Their Importance

34:44 Diversity in Character Types

38:00 The Complexity of Relationships

41:41 Character Flaws and Growth

47:50 Missed Opportunities for Character Development

52:27 Character Development and Relationship Dynamics

55:00 Exploring Career Choices and Personal Growth

58:38 Navigating Sexual Performance Anxiety

01:06:51 The Complexity of Identity and Relationships