Hockey Romance #5

 Role Model by Rachel Reid

I LOVED this book. It was very similar to book 1, but had the humor of books 2 and 4. Troy gets traded to the worst team in the league after a video from practice comes out with him confronting the star of his original team about being a rapist (there was an anonymous post that came out describing what he did). The league backs their superstar and trades Troy as punishment. The problem is Troy has spent so much of his life hiding that he doesn't know how to open up or even be himself so it's a very rocky start with his new team. Enter Ilya. As the team captain he tries to help Troy with his transition and they become friends. Enter Harris. He is the social media manager for the team. He is also openly gay. Troy and Harris get off to a bad start because Troy is so awkward, but they eventually become friends because Harris is the only person Troy feels comfortable around. Ilya takes Troy to Scott and Eric's bar and afterwards Troy comes out to Ilya. Ilya also comes out to Troy. Ilya realizes that Troy likes Harris and starts working to give them time together. Wyatt is back, but he's not as big of a role as he was in book 3. Troy slowly starts apologizing to people he needs to and he slowly starts coming out. On a plane ride there is engine trouble and they all think they are going to die and that night is the first time Troy and Harris hook up. Troy, still awkward, can't handle it and makes things worse. But, he also can't not be around Harris so they decide to be boyfriends but in secret while Troy figures out his life. Harris even takes Troy home to meet his family. Troy decides he wants to come out on Pride Night and has Harris help him make the announcement. He calls and tells his mom beforehand. His dad shows up unannounced before the game and Troy comes out to him after his dad goes on a diatribe about how he needed to support the rapist. Troy makes his coming out post on social media and at the game the arena is so supportive of him. Also, the rapist got arrested because some of the women came out publically. Troy also proclaims that Harris is his boyfriend. There is also a really cute dog. Also, Ilya gets into a fight with the rapist (before he gets arrested) because he said something derogatory about Shane. I adored this book and can't wait to read the next one!