Clara’s Verdict
MM hockey romance is a genre with devoted followers and very clear expectations going in: believable sports detail, an emotionally honest central relationship, and a satisfying ending without manufactured cruelty. Changing the Game by J.J. Mulder, Book 1 of the Offsides series, delivers reliably on most of those fronts. It’s a warm, largely uncomplicated love story between two men – Sam Jameson, a former college hockey player nursing a bruised ego and a derailed career, and Troy Nichols, the star forward who turns out to be unexpected in more ways than one. Narrator Liam DiCosimo brings solid, consistent energy to the six-hour-forty-one-minute listen, and the book does precisely what its author promises: it makes you feel good. In the current climate, that is not nothing.
About the Audiobook
Sam Jameson has had a genuinely terrible summer. His hockey dreams have stalled, his girlfriend has left him, and he’s arrived at a South Carolina NHL team with his head down, determined simply to work and prove himself. What he doesn’t account for – couldn’t have accounted for – is Troy Nichols: the team’s charismatic, exuberant star forward, who is surprising in ways Sam couldn’t have predicted and who refuses to be ignored.
Mulder is admirably transparent about what she’s written. The book’s own description calls it “low-angst” and “feel-good,” and that is exactly what it delivers. There is no manufactured misunderstanding held artificially in place for hundreds of pages, no dark backstory weaponised for maximum emotional damage at the three-quarter mark. Sam and Troy are genuinely likeable people – Troy specifically is noted by multiple reviewers as a particularly well-drawn character, with one listener observing that he might be on the spectrum, which adds an interesting dimension to his social energy. Their relationship develops with a refreshing honesty and directness, and the hockey backdrop is handled with enough authenticity to feel real without overwhelming the romance itself. Mature content is present throughout; a full list of content warnings is available on the author’s website for those who prefer to check in advance.
The book is clearly the first instalment of a well-planned series. Side characters arrive already feeling fully formed enough to carry their own stories – a deliberate authorial choice – and several reviewers note that they went on to devour the entire Offsides series immediately after finishing this one, which speaks well of both Mulder’s world-building and the warmth of the central relationship. If you’re someone who likes to discover a series when it already has multiple entries waiting for you, this is a good time to start.
It’s worth noting that while the hockey setting gives the book energy and authentic detail, you don’t need to know anything about ice hockey to enjoy it. Mulder is careful to make the sport legible to non-fans without over-explaining at the expense of pace. That accessibility is one of the book’s quiet strengths.
The Narration
Liam DiCosimo’s performance is well-suited to the material. He conveys Sam’s quieter, more self-contained nature and Troy’s more exuberant, outward-facing energy without making either feel like a caricature, which is harder to do than it sounds in a genre that can tip easily into broad strokes. The pacing is comfortable for the genre, and DiCosimo handles the more intimate scenes with appropriate restraint and naturalness. At under seven hours, this is a quick and clean listen – ideal for a weekend or a handful of commutes.
What Readers Say
Audible UK listeners give Changing the Game 4.1 out of 5 from 3 reviews. Andrea calls it “an absolutely brilliant story” with “a fantastic mix of actual Hockey and such a cute, uncomplicated love story,” and is already hoping for stories about the side characters. Emma Ward reports devouring the whole series. One reviewer (Amazon Customer) offers a more measured three stars, noting that there isn’t much plot beyond the central romance and that the POV structure felt slightly awkward. Dagmar gives it five stars and particularly appreciates the character dimension she perceives in Troy. The critical consensus is fair and consistent: this is a feel-good listen that does exactly what it promises. If you want significant external drama or complex subplot, you may feel slightly under-served. If you want warmth, charm, and two likeable men falling for each other honestly, you will be perfectly happy.
Who Should Listen?
Changing the Game is for romance listeners who want a low-stakes, genuinely heartening MM story. Fans of Erin Dionne, Lily Morton, or Helena Hunting’s lighter work will find it comfortable, familiar territory. It’s also a reasonable entry point for sports romance newcomers, since the hockey elements are accessible without requiring any prior knowledge of the game. If you’re building a list of cosy, uncomplicated listens for long journeys, convalescence, or simply days when you need something to make you smile, this belongs on it. Available on Audible UK, Kobo, Scribd, and Storytel. Listen on Audible UK: Get Changing the Game on Audible UK
