The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson
4 Stars
The Book At A Glance
When a hockey star’s very public breakup turns into a PR disaster, Ian Chase teams up with Delilah Baker—a TV baker with slipping ratings and his best friend’s little sister—to fake a relationship that could save both their careers. What starts as a win-win publicity stunt quickly blurs the line between business and real feelings, putting everything on the line both on and off the ice.
Bookish Thoughts
While browsing my local library for a Lana Ferguson book, this was the only one available—and honestly, I wasn’t mad about it. It’s a sports romance, a genre I’m always a fan of, making it an easy pick and a fun surprise find.
Book Review
The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson is an absolute treat for anyone who loves a good romantic comedy—especially one filled with brother’s-best-friend tension, fake dating shenanigans, and delicious baking moments. Delilah is a struggling baker whose show ratings are slipping, while Ian is a hockey star desperate to repair his bad-boy image. Teaming up on screen seems like the perfect solution for both of them, and watching their worlds (and chemistry!) collide is half the fun.
I adore Lana Ferguson’s writing style—there’s always warmth, humor, and just the right amount of spice. This novel is no exception. Delilah and Ian are incredibly charming leads, and their dynamic feels both swoony and heartfelt. I especially loved the baking element woven throughout the story; it added such a cozy, sweet vibe that balanced perfectly with the high-energy hockey backdrop.
The side characters were just as delightful. Jack Baker, Delilah’s brother, was such a standout, and Mei and Bella were an adorable duo I would absolutely read a novella about. Abby was another favorite—while I did predict her role in the story early on, it didn’t take away from her charm, and I’m so excited for her upcoming book with Jack. They’re the perfect pairing, and I can’t wait to see their story unfold.
One of my favorite things about this novel? No third-act breakup. I love when a romance leans on healthy communication instead of forced drama, and Delilah’s constant trust in Ian made their relationship even sweeter. Plus, the spicy scenes were incredibly well done—Ian definitely earns his spot as a top-tier hockey romance hero.
Overall, The Game Changer is a fun, flirty, heartfelt rom-com I would recommend to all romance lovers—especially anyone who enjoys brother’s-best-friend, fake dating, sports romance, or a cozy baking subplot. It has all the tropes you could want, great characters, and a love story that will make you smile from start to finish.
“Maybe love can only truly be held by two people, because it’s too big for just one.”
Lana Ferguson
If You Loved This, Try
A literary pairing similar to this novel is The Icebreaker by Hannah Grace, which is a spicy hockey romance that gives off very similar vibes, especially with its blend of sports culture, undeniable chemistry, and swoony romance. If you loved the behind-the-scenes look at professional hockey mixed with a fun, steamy love story, this is an easy recommendation to add to your TBR.
Lana Ferguson is a contemporary and paranormal romance author known for writing steamy, character-driven novels that blend spice with sass. She often describes herself as a sex-positive nerd whose stories don’t shy away from heat or humor, influenced early on by her teenage discovery of a faded Fabio romance cover. Her published works include The Nanny, The Fake Mate, Under Loch and Key, The Game Changer, Overruled, and The Mating Game — many of which have appeared on bestseller lists and showcase her range from contemporary to paranormal romance.
Shelf To Table
Cream-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes: Cream-filled chocolate cupcakes are rich, moist chocolate cupcakes with a deep cocoa flavor, topped with a soft, domed crumb and filled with fluffy vanilla buttercream. The smooth, sweet center contrasts perfectly with the tender chocolate cake, creating a bakery-style treat that’s both nostalgic and indulgent—like a classic snack cake elevated into a decadent dessert.
If you love the brother’s best friend vibe—complete with forced proximity, playful banter, and slow-burn tension—Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter is a perfect pick. Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter is a fun, flirty rom-com that blends the best friend’s brother trope with an accidental wrong-number text that turns unexpectedly steamy. When Olivia’s latest life mishap lands her crashing with her brother and his best friend, she doesn’t realize the anonymous texter she’s been flirting with is actually Colin—the guy who’s always seen her as off-limits. As sparks fly both on-screen and off, Colin must decide if he’s ready to risk everything for the one person he never meant to fall for.
