Game Changer
Game Changer follows Scott Hunter, star centre for the New York Admirals, who has spent his entire career deeply closeted - until he walks into a smoothie shop and meets Kip Grady. What starts as Scott coming in for a Blue Moon Over Brooklyn smoothie turns into giving Kip Admiral game tickets, eating late-night burgers after a charity event, and before long, a relationship that Scott has never let himself have before. He asks Kip to be his boyfriend, buys him a tuxedo for a gala, cooks him linguini on Valentine's Day. For the first time in his life, Scott is happy, and it shows.
But the relationship has a ceiling because of Scott's situation and internal struggles. Scott is terrified of being out, shaped by a painful experience in boarding school involving a boy named Jacob that he's never told anyone about. Kip, meanwhile, is increasingly tired of feeling like a secret: Watching from a distance, hiding in plain sight, missing Scott on his own birthday. Things come to a head when Scott gets recognised on a date and panics, and Kip walks out. The playoffs begin with them barely speaking.
It's Scott who finally breaks. He shows up at Straw+Berry, apologises, tells Kip everything about his past, and promises to come out after the playoffs. They make up (and make out), and Scott realises he can't even wait that long. Unannounced, Scott shows up at Kip's parents' house in Bay Ridge, introduces himself as Kip's boyfriend over a family dinner, and comes out to his coach and teammates, who are completely supportive (well, Carter needs an extra 5 seconds).
The rest, as they say, is history. The Admirals win the Stanley Cup, and in a moment of pure Scott Hunter chaos, he calls Kip over the penalty box glass and kisses him on live television. A few weeks later at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas, Scott wins the Hart Trophy and dedicates his speech to Kip. And the two of them celebrate with their teammates, Ilya Rozanov included, at a gay club. And that is the story of the original Game Changer which opens the door to many hockey players after this.
Official Book Synopsis
New York Admirals captain Scott Hunter takes his pregame rituals very seriously. In this case, it’s not just a lucky smoothie he’s craving—it’s the man who made it.
Pro hockey star Scott Hunter knows a good thing when he sees it. So, when a smoothie made by juice bar barista Kip Grady precedes Scott breaking his on-ice slump, he’s desperate to recreate the magic...and to get to know the sexy, funny guy behind the counter.
Kip knew there was more to Scott’s frequent visits than blended fruit, but he never let himself imagine being invited back to Scott’s penthouse. Or kissed with reckless abandon, never mind touched everywhere all at once. When it happens it’s red-hot, incredible and frequent, but also only on Scott’s terms and always behind his closed apartment doors.
Scott needs Kip in his life, but with playoff season approaching, the spotlight on him is suddenly brighter than ever. He can’t afford to do anything that might derail his career…like introducing the world to his boyfriend. Kip is ready to go all-in with Scott—but how much longer will he have to remain a secret?
SHOW vs BOOK DIFFERENCES
Jacob Tierney's TV adaptation is highly faithful, but there are still some noticeable differences between the show and Rachel's books. Whether you read the books first or binged the show and now you're curious about the source material, here are a few things that are different:
Blue Moon Over Brooklyn
In the Game Changer book, Kip’s "Blue Moon Over Brooklyn" smoothie does not contain extra banana, but the show adds it, and also changes the socks Kip gifted to Scott from a blueberry pattern to bananas.
Scott's Hair Colour
In the Game Changer book, Scott Hunter has blond hair. While in the TV show, he has dark/brunette hair.
God, the hottest man in the world is standing in front of me and I am wearing an apron and a strawberry baseball cap.
“Because he just lit up like the goddamn sun. Jesus. You guys are doomed.”
“What’s wrong with the closet? It’s a wonderful place crammed full of professional athletes.”
"Fear is a powerful thing, but this year I found the thing that is more powerful."
