We already had a post planned for Rachel to talk about “cute smut” and I saw this tweet from Rachel and I practically begged Stephanie at Carina to ask Rachel to expand on this tweet in her post. Thank you Stephanie and Rachel for this post. (Side note, I will have a mini-review for Tough Guy tomorrow)
Ryan was pretty sure he had an ugly dick.
That was the first line I wrote of the third book in my Game Changers series, Tough Guy. It didn’t end up being the first line of the book, but it does kick off one of my favourite scenes, and sets the tone for the sexual relationship between my two main characters, Ryan Price and Fabian Salah.
The first two books in this series have a lot of sex scenes, and while I enjoyed writing every single one, I wanted this book to have a different approach to the sexual content. My hockey player MC, Ryan, doesn’t have much experience with fun sex. He has his own insecurities about his body, and his performance, but he also has never been with a partner who helped him relax and feel sexy. That’s where Fabian comes in.
I love an imperfect sex scene. Even in my first two books, Game Changer and Heated Rivalry, which were about hot, fit, confident young men going at it like rabbits, I tried to insert some sexual mishaps; mini-disasters that the characters could maybe look back on and laugh at someday.
Don’t get me wrong; I certainly appreciate a toe-curling sex scene between characters who really know what they are doing, but I find it more interesting to write scenes that are a little goofier. If I want to see perfect people have perfect sex, I can watch porn. Writing sex scenes gives me the freedom to explore the joy of imperfect sex. My characters can have insecurities and make mistakes, and receive playful teasing, or gentle encouragement from their partners. For me, it’s moments like these that add depth to their relationship, and make them more interesting and relatable as characters.
I call the books that I write “cute smut,” which means stories that are low-angst and lean into sweetness and humour. One of my biggest early influences was Colleen Coover’s erotic romance comic series, Small Favors. It’s a super adorable, super sex-positive, and super sexy series that perfectly blends hotness with cuteness and celebrates how fun sex can be. I first read those comics almost twenty years ago, and prior to that the only erotica I had read or watched had been very serious and straightforward. Not a lot of laughs, or real characters. Small Favors showed me a whole new world of possibility when it came to erotica. Since then, of course, I have read and loved so many books and short stories that are full of imperfect, joyful sex scenes and I am happy to be able to contribute a small part to that wonderful subgenre of erotic entertainment.
In Tough Guy, Ryan struggles with anxiety and insecurities beyond the bedroom, but they also impact his sex life. He is awkward in social situations, and finds it difficult to date or even make friends. On top of that, he is on anxiety medication that makes it difficult for him to achieve orgasm. Fabian, on the other hand, is full of confidence and has a relaxed, playful approach to sex that Ryan has never experienced before. His journey includes learning that the bedroom can be a safe place to laugh and make mistakes and receive support and encouragement from his partner, and to learn that his “ugly” dick is, in fact, wonderful.
About the book
Tough Guy, Game Changers, #3, by Rachel Reid
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Sports Romance
Content Warnings: Mental illness, discussion of death by suicide
Book Description: They have nothing in common—so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he’s with Fabian?
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.
Author Bio
Rachel Reid is the pen name of Rachelle Goguen. She chose it because it is much easier to say, spell and remember than Rachelle Goguen!
Rachel writes cute, romantic smut, mostly about hockey players.
Rachelle co-hosts a comic book podcast called Living Between Wednesdays.
Rachel/Rachelle lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. She has always lived there, and it’s looking like she probably always will. She has two boring degrees and two interesting kids.
The first two books in her Game Changers m/m hockey romance series, Game Changer and Heated Rivalry, are both available now from Carina Press. Book three, Tough Guy, goes on sale January 13, 2020!
Author Links
Website: https://www.rachelreidwrites.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/akaRachelReid
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelreidwrites/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17722552.Rachel_Reid
Thank you for this post. HEATED RIVALRY was my favorite book of 2019 and I’m really looking forward to TOUGH GUY.
Thanks for your thoughtful post, Rachel, and best wishes for the success of Tough Guy.
I was lucky enough to read an egalley of Tough Guy, and I *adore* the way Rachel writes Ryan and Fabian’s sex scenes. Fabian is so cool about only doing what Ryan is comfortable with, and the way they talk about their hang-ups and needs is just really inspiring for how to have a healthy sexual relationship. Je l’adore.