Five books to read if you loved Heated Rivalry Not just gay romance, but a lot of gay romance
Let’s admit it: we can no longer even open Instagram or TikTok without hearing at least once “Will you come to my cottage this summer?”, Is lie, liar told you that, or other quotes from Heated Rivalry, the current social media phenomenon. Born from a TV series produced on a very low budget and featuring actors (almost) making their debut (not all of them, some may remember François Arnaud, who plays Scott Hunter, in The Borgias or Midnight, Texas), the show is actually based on the Game Changers Series novels by Rachel Reid, specifically the second book (Heated Rivalry) for the story of Ilya and Shane, and the first, Game Changer, which covers the broader story of Scott and Kip. Heated Rivalry explores the love story between Montreal Metros player Shane Hollander and his longtime rival Ilya Rozanov of the Boston Bears, a secret affair that evolves into something more over the years. Their storyline is briefly interwoven with that of Scott Hunter from the New York Admirals and Kip Grady, meeting at the smoothie bar where Kip works. Originally, according to some sources, Game Changer started as a fanfiction between Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes (yes, the Marvel characters), but Reid later clarified that it was originally an original story which she adapted into fanfiction to publish on Archive of Our Own (AO3 for friends).
When will Heated Rivalry arrive in Italy?
We already know for sure that the series will arrive in Italy on February 13 on HBO Max (did someone say Valentine’s at the cottage?), while the books will be translated by Always Publishing, although the exact release date hasn’t been announced yet. If you are now a big hockey fan (did you know Italy has quite a few teams?) and need something to remind you of the Hollanovs, here are five books that are definitely for you.
@bookbuilt heated rivalry >> #booktok #readersoftiktok #fyp #heatedrivalry Five books to read if you loved Heated Rivalry
Game Changer, Rachel Reid
If you want to know more about Scott and Kip and what the show didn’t show: Game Changer, Rachel Reid (2018); needless to say, the first book of the Game Changers series is a must-read if you loved Heated Rivalry. The story of Scott and Kip in the series isn’t deeply explored (not as much as Shane and Ilya’s, at least), and reading the book helps fill in plot and timeline gaps, especially between episodes three and five. The series currently consists of six books, with the seventh coming this year. Both the sixth book, The Long Game, and the upcoming one, Unrivaled, focus on Ilya and Shane and what happens after the summer at the cottage. Warning! All volumes contain explicit sex scenes, so always check the trigger warnings.
Love Competition, Emily Rath
If the hot scenes in Heated Rivalry weren’t enough: Love Competition, Emily Rath (2024, Newton Compton Editori); Dr. Rachel Price has been assigned as a fellow to the Jacksonville Rays, the strongest hockey team in the league, but what if the man who gave her the hottest night of her life two months earlier in Las Vegas was there? And what if her best friend Caleb, a former player and part of the Rays staff, is also quite attractive? And if Ilmari Mars Kinnunen, the team’s goalie, joins this trio? Love Competition is perfect if you’re looking for the perfect mix of hockey and spicy situations, the first of the Jacksonville Rays series. There’s a gay romance element here as well, and needless to say, there are plenty of explicit sex scenes. Check the TWs.
@baskinsuns respectfully, stop telling me what the author’s intentions are, whether or not you approve of them. I don’t care and also it’s possibly the least interesting or substantive way to engage with the work! your thinking has to stand on its own legs! #booktok #heatedrivalry #heatedrivalrycrave #romancebooktok #criticism original sound - baskinsuns on most platforms
Him - Me + You, Elle Kennedy & Sarina Bowen
If you’re craving forbidden love/hockey/gay romance: HIM - Me + You, Elle Kennedy & Sarina Bowen (2024, Always Publishing); hockey romance queens Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy (also the author of the Off Campus Series, soon a TV series on Prime Video) co-write the story of Jamie and Ryan, former best friends separated by one life-changing night, who reunite years later as rivals on the ice. Between playoffs, a shared summer, unspoken feelings, buried truths, and hidden desires, their bond, and themselves, are put to the test. A story somewhat similar to Ilya and Shane’s (here it’s friends to lovers), and the first of a duology (the second volume, Us - Me + You, is already available in Italy). Explicit sex scenes and TWs apply.
Red, White & Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston
If you love the blond/dark dynamic and want something equally iconic: Red, White & Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston (2022, Mondadori); adapted into a Prime Video film. Alex, son of the U.S. President, and Henry, the British prince, cannot stand each other, yet continue to attend public events causing mini-diplomatic incidents one after another. After yet another mishap (including a wedding cake and a Royal wedding), they’re told to act as best friends to smooth relations between their countries. And what if something more blooms between them? If you like forbidden love with secret meetings around the world, this is perfect. And if you love holiday-themed stories, The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch (2025, Magazzini Salani) has a similar premise… here, Nicholas “Coal,” Santa’s son, and Hex, prince of Halloween, should compete for the Easter princess’ hand… but they simply cannot stay apart. It’s a forced proximity romance but won’t disappoint. Again, check for explicit scenes and TWs.
@hbomax A beautiful reading from the ancient texts. #HeatedRivalry #BookTok #HudsonWilliams #ConnorStorrie original sound - HBO Max
Like a Power Play, Elle Sprinkle
If you want a more sapphic twist on hockey romance: Like a Power Play, Elle Sprinkle (2024); sapphic hockey romances are rare (for now), but hopefully, thanks to Heated Rivalry’s success, more will be written and published. This is the story of Peyton, starting center of Greenrock University’s women’s hockey team, who crosses paths with Darcy Cole, a former hockey prodigy forced to quit due to rheumatoid arthritis, recently appointed assistant coach of the team. The two clash repeatedly on and off the rink, but discover they have much in common… and that a real spark may have ignited between them. A hockey romance about confronting past ghosts and daily challenges for those with autoimmune diseases. A happy ending is promised!