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.

Find Jenn:

Instagram: thebookrefuge18

Youtube: TheBookRefuge

Patreon: https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fthebookrefuge%3Futm_campaign%3Dcreatorshare_creator&e=AUDcHdy3h2tYt5j5YUAD8Re3PXU1crwrEij1q-82r98fN984taClIYwUaMLBoe1PQnXUsfy1kbJQXvs4wTt0GnLYX0NObFyxW6nlNS1UcBO3-FyOMD1ZLVw6643uo0WL8EueRlFiJe3shYKbyw

Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/LongGamePodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC

Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod

Write to us: longgamepod2481@gmail.com

Find Declan:

Instagram: declan712

Tiktok: declanmccallion1

Find Silvan:

Instagram: Silvates

Tiktok: silvates1

Listen to the Podcast on:

Apple podcast:

Spotify podcast:

Amazon podcast:

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

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

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495

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

Just when you thought we we were finished with Heated Rivalry, Rachel Reid has one more dinner waiting for us.

In Part 14, Declan and Silvan dive into the bonus chapter, My Dinner with Hayden, as Shane and Ilya attempt something arguably more challenging than professional hockey, namely hosting Hayden and Jackie for a civilised dinner party.

We unpack the tension between Ilya and Hayden, Ilya’s surprising talent as a host, and whether this fan-favourite bonus chapter actually adds anything to the story. We also take a closer look at Hayden’s reaction to discovering Shane and Ilya’s relationship, the pressure Shane feels to keep their love hidden, and why Ilya seems increasingly ready to stop hiding altogether.

And, of course, we need to talk about the sex scene, including a few lines that gave us the ick, what the chapter says about trust and safer sex, and why its final moments might actually provide a more fitting ending to Heated Rivalry than the original final chapter.

Plus, we discuss the women of the Game Changers universe, the missed opportunity with Jackie, and where we’re heading next as we finally say goodbye to Heated Rivalry (for now) and prepare to meet Ryan and Fabian in Tough Guy.

The next episode of the Long Game podcast will be released on Sunday 6th September 2026.

Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/LongGamePodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC

Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod

Write to us: longgamepod2481@gmail.com

Find Declan:

Instagram: declan712

Tiktok: declanmccallion1

Find Silvan:

Instagram: Silvates

Tiktok: silvates1

Listen to the Podcast on:

Apple podcast:

Spotify podcast:

Amazon podcast:

Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/0peXxjKP0pg

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

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495

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

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to 'My Dinner with Hayden'

01:52 Exploring the Timeline Confusion

04:56 Character Dynamics and Dinner Party Tensions

07:50 The Role of Female Characters

10:56 Hayden's Perspective on Shane's Coming Out

13:33 The Weight of Secrecy in Relationships

16:43 Contradictions in Character Development

31:07 Ilya's Readiness vs. Shane's Fear

33:41 The Complexity of Love and Career

37:33 Metamorphosis: Ilya's Transformation

37:56 Exploring the Sex Scene

43:49 The Shift in Safe Sex Practices

48:58 Contrasting Endings: A Reflection on Growth

52:19 Looking Ahead: The Future of the Series