Hi again, buddies! Finally, I’ve finished the last Rachel Reid book (for now) and I officially don’t know what to do with my life. But first, let me tell you about this masterpiece called “The Shots You Take”!

Plot

Adam is a former NHL hockey player and a man who spent most of his life trying not to admit he was gay, but finally, in his late 30s he was ready to face himself. Now, two years later, he’s divorced from his wife and has two teenage children. He’s on a journey to finally find and accept himself, but he always feels that a piece of him is missing.

Riley, also in his 40s, is living a quiet life in his hometown. People have almost forgotten he was also a superstar hockey player, who had to quit at a young age due to mental health problems. Now, he’s devoted to his dog, his garden and his father’s shop, trying not to think of that piece in his heart that’s permanently broken.

Adam and Riley used to be teammates, roommates and best friends. Some nights, more than just friends. But nothing more than hot nights ending with each of them sleeping in his own bed.

Their life choices forced them to take different paths in life and with the different struggles each one was facing, they never contacted each other again. But now they meet again following Riley’s father’s passing. This time, they’re both grown men, able to set boundaries. Except, when these two are with each other, no matter the age, an endless battle is always raging as their hearts constantly fight against logic. Even when it comes to these two, can time truly be a healer?

Characters & Relationship

Another Rachel Reid book, another realistic couple. So realistic that it pains you to read about them and learn about their lives and their past. I believe that the hardest part of the book was to portray the couple’s relationship. Both men are deeply traumatized, Adam because he spent years refusing to accept himself, ultimately hurting them both, and Riley because he spent years hiding his feelings before eventually walking away. But it’s deeply healing to see the two men as people who make mistakes, like all of us. And what I enjoyed most is that as you read the book you don’t feel sad for them or pity them. Instead, the focus is on their character development and you end up feeling proud of them and for how far they’ve come.

Family

Despite the loss of their father, I loved the dynamic of Riley’s family. Riley and his sister tried to spend as much time as they could with their mother, but without leaving behind their own lives. Even their mother never stopped putting both of them first and caring for them. It was reassuring to see all of them trying their best without losing their role in the family.

On the other hand, Adam’s family was also very important for him and his character development. His ex-wife never left his side and never put her bitterness first, which was very brave and mature for a woman in her situation. Also, his kids seemed not to care but in fact, they really respected their father and worried about him and whether he’d ever find happiness.

Friendship

This book emphasizes the importance of friendship. Riley’s friends helped him a lot through his bad times, but they also effortlessly helped the lonely Adam. They helped him clear his mind and stop feeling guilty for his past life. The moment they told him it’s ok to be himself without that meaning he hadn’t loved or respected his wife, it was pivotal for the plot and his character development. There’s great comfort in knowing that you’re not the only one facing a certain difficulty and Adam absolutely needed those friends.

Conclusion

This book truly amazed me. I believe it’s the most difficult book Rachel Reid has ever written and she totally delivered! Grief and past trauma are a hard combination for a book to deal with, but she handled both of them with a lot of respect and realism. The book was very sad with a lot to handle, but like all of her books, it also contained a dose of humour, making this another perfect book!

The only thing I’m sad about now is that I have no more Rachel Reid’s books to read. But I’m so glad I found these books that have changed my life! If I had one wish right now it’d be to live in a fantasy world full of Rachel Reid’s books! I just can’t wait for “Unrivaled”!

I’d be glad to hear your opinions about “The Shots You Take” in the comments! And if you want to read more from us, feel free to subscribe!

Thanks for reading,
Utaku 🌼