Review by siesssie - The Long Game

A review by siesssie
The Long Game by Rachel Reid

5.0

”He reached for Shane’s hand and they walked, fingers tangled together, down a busy street in downtown Montreal with their heads held high.”

“They weren’t going to hide anymore. Not from anyone, and not for anyone.”

This book was everything I wanted and so much more. What a magnificent end to Shane & Ilya’s story. It put me through so many emotions, I still have whiplash. I swooned, I laughed, I cried, I raged, and then I did it all, all over again.

Ilya was yet again the best part of this book. The range of vulnerability he displayed grabbed me by the heart. I thought Rachel did an amazing job showcasing the many facets of depression. Just because we have better moments or even days doesn’t mean we’ve found a cure and it’s all good and done with. It takes time, and it’s okay to not be okay, to lean on those we love and take it one day at a time.

I was a wreck during the plane accident. I already knew it would destroy me when we first read it in the [b:Role Model|54561591], but to experience it firsthand from Ilya’s pov was brutal. His “last words” to Shane made me sob like a baby.

”You are the best thing in my life.

I love you. Always. Maybe from the first time I saw you.

I am thinking only about you right now. A million memories. Thank you for those. Whatever happens, I am with you. Safe in your heart. I believe it.”

One of my favorite moments was seeing how Shane’s mom and dad wholeheartedly welcomed Ilya into their family, considering him their son as well. It warmed my heart and soothed my soul.

”A few minutes later, Ilya was tucked under a blanket on the couch, eating ice cream out of a little bowl. He felt like a child, and he kind of loved it.”

“I’ve always felt so lucky to have a son as wonderful as Shane that I never expected to be blessed with a second one.”

Shane frustrated me so incredibly much at times, it was hard to deal with him. But it’s also what makes him a compelling character because he felt real. His self-absorption was fueled by how safe he felt in his surroundings. His team was solid and winning games, he had a support system not only in his parents but also in Hayden and Rose. He was blind to acknowledge how lonely and sad Ilya was in comparison. But when confronted with reality, he worked to understand the differences in their lives and to be there for Ilya. I liked how early on he noticed something wasn’t the same with Ilya, mentioning seeking professional help, which ended up planting the seed he needed to do so.

“I hate that you have to fight yourself. But you’re never going to scare me off, okay? And I’m never giving up on you, or on us. So whatever you need, I’m right here.”

“What if you can’t help?”

“Then I’ll be standing by until I can.” He kissed Ilya’s forehead. “I’m marrying you, Ilya. I want to have kids with you. I want to be your date when we’re inducted into the Hall of Fame. I love you so much.”

Through it all, though, he loved Ilya fiercely. And I really adored how he was learning Russian for him, so Ilya could not only share a part of his culture but also express himself freely in the comfort of his native tongue.

”This was a game Ilya liked to play where he used random Russian words as pet names, to test Shane.”

I absolutely adored the Ottawa Centaurs and how, even though Ilya couldn’t confide in them, he had their love and camaraderie. The Montreal Voyageurs were trash, and they never deserved Shane. The way they acted once their relationship was outed was disgusting, and I hope they never win a Stanley Cup again. Mangez vos morts, bande d’homophobes.

PS: I don’t understand why Shane was made to trip on nothing but air. I really disliked how that was written, he could have easily been tackled by another player or affected by something else, but instead, we got this. It was an unnecessary plot point to fuel the hatred and isolation from the Voyageurs even further.

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GAME CHANGERS

A review by siesssie The Long Game by Rachel Reid

A review by siesssie
The Long Game by Rachel Reid