Analyze the metaphor of “the long game” beyond hockey, particularly in relation to identity and relationships.

What perspectives does the book offer about sacrifice? What do Shane and Ilya give up?

Analyze the role of supporting queer characters, specifically the couple Ryan Price and Fabian Salah, and later, Troy Barrett. How do these characters function as foils or models that challenge Shane’s long-held conviction that secrecy is essential for survival in the NHL, thereby acting as catalysts for the central couple’s evolution?

How does the plot device of an accidental viral video outing serve the novel’s themes of privacy and authenticity?

What role does Shane’s relationship with his parents, particularly his mother Yuna, play in the story? How does she impact his growth and development throughout the text?

If you have read Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles, discuss how both novels depict the intersection of love and societal expectations, particularly in environments defined by honor or performance. Discuss how this idea directly impacts Shane and Achilles by exploring their growth and development throughout their stories.

After years of hiding, Ilya tells Shane they have become “bad at showing” their love (44). Using key scenes such as the double date, Fabian’s concert, and the Christmas fight, analyze how the performance of secrecy erodes their ability to connect authentically, even in private.

If you have read Casey McQuiston’s novel Red, White, and Royal Blue, compare and contrast the way that Shane and Ilya and Alex and Henry grapple with the secrecy of their relationships. How do both novels explore the risks and rewards of public disclosure?