Time to Shine (2023) is a romance novel by Rachel Reid, published by Carina Press. Told in alternating perspectives, it follows two professional hockey players on the fictional NHL team, the Calgary Outlaws.
Just before Christmas, reserved goalie Landon Stackhouse is called to replace an injured teammate. Though he expects a straightforward gig, he’s unprepared for the team’s left-wing star, Casey Hicks — openly bisexual, relentlessly outgoing, and searching for a (platonic) roommate. As the two grow closer over the holiday season, their connection deepens into something more, but Landon’s time with the Outlaws has an expiration date. When the injured goalie returns, Landon will be sent back across the country, forcing them to confront whether their budding relationship is worth the distance and sacrifices.
In addition to the will-they-won’t-they romance, Time to Shine approaches themes of family, fear, shame, and grief. Casey is grappling with a crippling fear of being alone; he’s ashamed of his inability to get over it, and he’s trying his hardest to hide both his fear and his shame from his teammates, who mean well but will no doubt tease him.
Landon is hiding something of his own: his sister Erin died suddenly a few years back, and he’s never fully processed that loss. Together, Casey and Landon must reckon not only with their demons but also with their inexplicable attraction to each other, which is growing by the day.
Casey is openly bisexual before the story begins, casually mentioning it to Landon during a flight to Seattle for back-to-back games in chapter nine.
I’m into guys. I’m bi. Everyone on the team knows.
Landon, uncertain of his sexuality (leaning toward “maybe probably gay”), worries about the admitting his attraction as well as the implications of dating a teammate, noting that while there are openly queer NHL players, none are in workplace relationships. However, the story doesn’t dwell on external homophobia; the team is supportive and focuses on Landon and Casey’s story.
In later chapters, readers see Casey pursue women and men as partners. He freely admits that he enjoys sex. Though his frequent casual sex could be read as the promiscuous bisexual trope, author Reid is careful to separate his desire for sex from his bisexuality. This allows Casey to be someone who enjoys sex and happens to be bisexual; she does not infer that he enjoys sex because he’s bi, which is an important, if small, distinction.
Overall, Time to Shine focuses on what it means to grow alongside a potential partner. Although spicy and sexy at times, it centers conversations around consent and comfort, thereby depicting the healthy setting and honoring of boundaries.