The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson

An enjoyable book, but hockey fans will need to put aside reality while reading this, after all this is a happily ever after romantic-comedy. Delilah and Jack lost their parents at a young age, but that did not stop their drive to success. Jack is a professional hockey player in Boston, and his best, Ian Chase, friend growing up just returned to the team his parents own after a scandal blew up a few years ago. Delilah hosts a local baking show in Boston and had gathered a following, but a dip in ratings has her producers asking for her to call in a favor and bring a professional hockey player on the show. Jack has a broken arm and Ian is looking for some good press so he goes on the show. Of course the heat isn’t just from the oven and Delilah and Ian appear to be a cute couple so without stating if they are or are not a couple Delilah’s producers and Ian’s father push them to spend time off camera together where they can be seen together. As Delilah and Ian start to develop feelings for each other, or those feelings re-emerge, the scandal that pushed Ian out of Boston a few years ago comes crashing into the press.   Thankfully, the author does a great job of not having the couple break up over a misunderstanding, but instead have to deal with the issues separately and together at times, before they get their happily ever after. Such a fun read, even if it isn’t exactly realistic professional hockey playing situations. 

Character List/Book Summary:

Ian Chase = back in Boston after playing in Calgary for 6 years after his divorce. Does not want to make a public statement about his divorce, the rumors of cheating, or his wife’s new wedding (which he is happy for). Has a good relationship with his ex-wife and her new wife, he even gets calls from them on their honeymoon. Realizes he can help Abigail and should have done a better job at protecting and helping her six years ago. Feels guilty for not being honest with his mother, but thought he was protecting her because of lies his father was telling him. His mom surprises him when he comes clean, and is accepting of Dee and Abby (which surprises everyone). 

Delilah Baker = a baker who hosts “Whisk-y Business” and had a crush on Ian when they were younger. Is happy that Ian tells her who Abigail is and gets along well with Mei and Isabella when Ian introduces them to her. Protects Abigail from Ian after Abigail goes to the press, and feels for her as she knows what it is like to be an orphan. Her friends now call her “Dee” but that is not what Ian and Jack called her growing up. 

Jack Baker = Delilah’s older brother, on meds for his ADHD and plays for a professional hockey team in Boston that just won the Stanley Cup. Broke his arm during the off season. Ian is staying with him while he figures out where to stay in Boston. Knows about Ian and his father, the real story with Abigail, and why Ian’s marriage ended. Helps the orphanage that he and Delilah were in while their aunt fought to get custody of them after their parents death. Dee and Ian are hesitant to tell him when they start dating because they do not want to put him in an awkward position. 

Ava Carmichael = junior producer and Dee’s best friend. Agrees with Theo that Dee should not let the network pressure her into being friends with Ian in public and knows Dee has feelings for him and thinks there might be chemistry between the two. 

Theo = Dee’s agent, is nervous about a hockey player being on her show. Explains to Dee that by not addressing the rumors that Dee and Ian are a couple could help Ian and his ex-wife PR wise. 

Mei Garcia = Ian’s ex-wife, recently got married. Knew she was not straight when she married Ian, but was trying to fulfill expectations. Is an artists, and finds out about Dee and Ian before Jack does. 

Isabella Garcia = Mei’s new wife, friendly with Ian. Invites Dee and Ian over for dinner after they get home from their honeymoon. Is a general contractor and feels Dee fits into their friendship group wonderfully. 

Bradley Chase = Ian’s data, owner of the Boston Hockey team through marrying the previous owner’s daughter (and only child). Cheated on his wife and Abby was the result, is always disappointed in Ian and does not acknowledge Abby or act fatherly towards her. 

Leilani Kahale – Boston Hockey team’s PR rep, wants Ian to go on Dee’s baking show. Encourages Ian to not make a statement about the rumors of if Dee and him are dating. 

Abigail = surprises Ian by saying that she wants to come clean but isn’t sure and knows how much of a problem it would be for Ian, but she is tired of being hidden. Ian was photographed with her and the press ran with gossip that Ian cheated on Mei with her, when in reality she is his half-sister. 

Aunt Bea = Jack and Dee’s aunt who raised them after their parents died, but took 6 months to get custody of them while they were in an orphanage. Loved having Ian around when Dee and Jack were growing up and is happy to have him over for dinner when he comes back to Boston. 

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