
Tough Guy
by Rachel Reid
Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.
Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it’s clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.
Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s starting to feel something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.
- Spice
- 4/5
- Burn
- Medium
- Pages
- ~304
- Ending
- HEA
HEA means happily ever after: they end up together, for good.
How spicy is Tough Guy?
Tough Guy is a 4 out of 5 on our spice scale: spicy (explicit). Explicit, detailed scenes and several of them. The famous "perfect 4": real plot, real smut. Spice starts around the middle.
- Steam: Explicit open door
- Burn: Medium burn
- When: Spice starts around the middle
- Pairing: Two men
- POV: Dual POV (both leads)
- Ending: Happily ever after
Content warnings
Some readers like to go in blind, so these stay hidden until you tap.
Show 2 content warnings
- Mental illness / anxiety / depression
- Homophobia
Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.
What readers say
Loading reader votes…
Read it? How spicy was it?
Tap a level to vote. Tap it again to take your vote back.
Spot a content warning we missed?
Tick anything the book has. Once a few readers report the same thing, it is added to this book's content warnings (still behind a tap) and to the hard-no filters.
Reader reviews
- Loading reviews…
Reviews and votes are from readers, not us. Community rules.
Tropes & tags
Love interest
Subgenre
Your next read
If you liked Tough Guy
More by Rachel Reid
Tough Guy: quick answers
How spicy is Tough Guy?
Tough Guy is a 4 out of 5 on our spice scale: spicy (explicit). Explicit, detailed scenes and several of them. The famous "perfect 4": real plot, real smut. Spice starts around the middle.
Is Tough Guy a standalone?
No. Tough Guy is book 3 of 6 in Game Changers. Start with Game Changer. The series is complete.
What tropes are in Tough Guy?
Tough Guy features hockey player, athlete, opposites attract, hurt / comfort. It is a medium burn M/M romance that ends with a happily ever after.
Does Tough Guy have content warnings?
Our notes for Tough Guy include: mental illness / anxiety / depression, homophobia. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.
What should I read after Tough Guy?
If you loved Tough Guy, try Time to Shine by Rachel Reid, Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy, The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid. They share its hockey player and athlete energy at a similar spice level.










