Review: Rachel Reid's ROLE MODEL.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

When I say that Rachel Reid’s Role Model swept me off my feet...

If you love

> Redemption arcs
> A too-handsome-to-be-believed + attractive-in-a-more-approachable-way kind of pairing
> Grumpy & the sunshine (who is literally a former apple farmer!)
> Ilya 

you must read this! Notice I didn’t mention the sports. You don’t have to love the sports to love this one .

In Role Model, NHL hockey player Troy Barrett has just been traded to one of the worst teams: the Ottawa Centaurs.

He’s gotten a lot of heat from his former team & fans, as well as hockey fans in general, for calling his former BFF & teammate a rapist after rape allegations were brought forward against him—& the moment was caught on video & leaked.

Instead of rallying behind Troy, his team is supporting the alleged rapist, & Troy, who didn’t realize what his former BFF was allegedly doing but who was undeniably an asshole (& one of the homophobic variety), is left hanging in the wind.

The social media manager of his new team, Harris Drover, is adorable, cheerful, & out—he’s nice to everyone, has an “average” physique compared to the ripped Troy, & an annoying loud laugh.

Are you as in love as I am?

First off, hats off to Reid for really going at how sports culture (specifically hockey in this book’s case) all too often supports the perpetrators of assault & not the alleged victims. There are some people in this book, like Troy & members of his new team, who are very much supporters of the latter, but Reid makes it clear that there are a lot of hockey fans & admins who would rather support the money-making, spectacle of the game than the alleged victims.

Second, I adore this lead pairing. Troy tries so hard to be a better person & he has a lot of bad behavior he has to reckon with—not to mention the fact that he’s currently in the closet & not sure how to come out/if he wants to. & he’s drawn to Harris, who likes everyone & wears Pride pins on his jacket. I love how Troy’s reserve meets Harris’s zest & crumbles a little under its charm each day.

Third, this book is so funny (cake pops 🤣) & came at me with so much heart.

Highly recommend this one for major feels.

4.5 ⭐️. Release date: 08/10