Heated Rivalry

Game Changers #2

by Rachel Reid

Nothing interferes with Shane Hollander’s game—definitely not the sexy rival he loves to hate.

Pro hockey star Shane Hollander isn’t just crazy talented, he’s got a spotless reputation. Hockey is his life. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that, especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night.

Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane’s not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he’s as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him—except Shane. They’ve made a career on their legendary rivalry, but when the skates come off, the heat between them is undeniable. When Ilya realizes he wants more than a few secret hookups, he knows he must walk away. The risk is too great.

As their attraction intensifies, they struggle to keep their relationship out of the public eye. If the truth comes out, it could ruin them both. But when their need for each other rivals their ambition on the ice, secrecy is no longer an option…

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Sports, Sports Romance, Enemies To Lovers, LGBT, Hockey

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 25, 2019

About the author

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. Her Game Changers m/m hockey romance series is available from Carina Press.

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.

Reviews

[Larissa Cambusano]

dnf.. i’m so sorry

y’all asked for an explanation so here I am. I had originally just written DNF HAHAHA but lemme explain myself. I realllyyyyy was not in the mood for pure smut and that’s what this book was to me (up until the point I dnf’ed of course)

I can’t speak for the rest of it. but the parts I did read, were just spicy scenes thrown together in different time jumps. I didn’t feel a connection between them and I didn’t feel the longing and yearning I was looking for. I also just didn’t vibe with the characters because I feel like I barely got to know them.

again, I dnf’ed like 40ish percent in? so obviously i’m only speaking for the parts I did read but it just was not for me. could have definitely been a timing thing and i’m in the minority here but :///

[Marianna Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I reread this over the weekend after watching the show 4 times… yes.

NO BECAUSE IM SO OBSESSED ITS NOT EVEN FUNNT IM GONNA BE SICKKKKKKK!!!!!! I’m so in love with them send help i have a problem. Like I have unlocked a new obsession and it is Shane and Ilya. This is my first mm hockey romance and something in me has been awakened. ILYA MY SWEET BABY RUSSIAN ANGEL I CANT HANDLE HIMMMMM!! WHEN THIS SHOW COMES OUT IM GONNA BE EVEN MORE INSUFFERABLE THAN I ALREADY AM!!! And you’re telling me there’s a second book?!!!!!!! SPRINTINGGGGGGGGG TO READ IT!! Thank god because I need so much more of them. Idc if the show isn’t out yet if it doesn’t get renewed for a second season I’ll riot.

8 YEARNS OF YEARNINGGGGG????? Bye.

[chan ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

did a lil reread in honor of Heated Rivalry TV Adaptation Eve. and what a blessed thanksgiving it was, indeed.


when hayley gives you an MM romance recommendation, just take it

THIS WAS SO FCKING GOOD! and proves why i shouldn't film my best of videos until like... after december is over lol. this is probably my favorite enemies to lovers romance of all time. there were HIGH stakes, TONS of steamy scenes, and a relationship that built over YEARS. it felt like this book was written just for me.

i think my main gripe about enemies to lovers is that authors are so quick to jump from characters that loathe each other to characters that would die for each other.

this book really is that bitch. these are the 2 best players in the NHL. pitted against each other as RIVALS. pro sports is high stakes but add in a MM relationship and this shit is forbidden af.

both of these characters own my fucking heart. shane is a precious bean and ilya is a perfect grumpy boy.


i need ALL the novellas for this couple. go read this.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you say as a review to a book that feels like a love letter to your soul?

Yes, I know I sound dramatic, but after re-reading it three times over the past six years and falling deeper and deeper in love with these characters each time, I knew I owed this book a new review. My previous review was... stale. This book is the gift that keeps on giving.

For fans of slow-burn romance and enemies-to-lovers, it really doesn't get better than this. Heated Rivalry starts out deceptively, with the tension and emotions creeping up more and more, but then you will not be able to put it down. My awareness of the force of Ilya and Shane grew with the characters' own awareness of each other. They orbit around each other like they are each other's suns.

It's easy to dismiss this book as just another sexy hockey romance, and, to be honest, that's what drew me to this book in the first place. However, it's really so much more. Rachel Reid lets Ilya and Shane be so, so real. It's hard to explain, but it literally makes my heart ache to think of how vulnerable and honest these characters get to be with each other in a way that we don't often get in romance. Their true selves are wrenched out, and it's emotional to be a part of it.

Yes, this book is sexy (insert sweating emoji), and yes, we get a half-Asian MC with freckles and a sexy Russian bi-guy, but it's so much more than that. It's sexy, it's sad, it's happy, it's stressful, it's exciting... it's just everything.

Heated Rivalry tops my Best of the Best list for a reason. I'll say it over and over again: This book is the GOAT

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Original review- 2019)

I loooooved Heated Rivalry, and thanks to Rachel Reid, I'm on a total book high right now.

I have a weakness for hockey players and hockey romances, so I felt compelled to try another book in Rachel Reid's hockey series even though I didn't love Game Changer. And I'm SO glad I did because Heated Rivalry gave me all the feels.

Though the book has lots of sex in it, it's still a romance-first story, even though that romance is slow burn and takes a long time to get there. I loved seeing these two through the years, and I loved their love/hate dynamic. There was a chemistry there from the start, but the rivalry and competitiveness kept these two from anything but angry sex for a long time.

I thought the story was decent at first, but then I became seriously obsessed. I couldn't put the story down all day, and I read it straight through in less than 24 hours, even at over 300 pages long. The sex was fast and swift but the feelings build and build over time, so much so that I had tears in my eyes by the end. You need to be a very patient reader because it takes these guys FOREVER to admit their feelings for each other. They are enemies-with-benefits for the majority of the story.

However, if you like hockey romances, half-Asian guys with freckles, and tall, surly bisexual Russians, Heated Rivalry is SO worth your while.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

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[Emmy Rosam · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 stars 🌟 Worth the hype. One of the best hockey books I’ve ever read I feel physically unwell and obsessed with these characters.

[len ❀ · Rating 1 out of 5]

EDIT: 9/5/23
I recently saw someone talking about how much they loved this book on social media, and it had me (respectfully) disagreeing with everything they said that I didn’t even finish reading their post. So that got me thinking, why did I rate this two stars when I actually didn’t enjoy anything?

Anyway, I love being a hater. I love having unpopular opinions. I love being a 1-star on a sea of 5-stars. I don’t know why I let myself rate this 2-stars for “the banter and freckles.” How sad. Well, I’m changing my rating to 1-star. This isn’t uncommon for me to do. I constantly go back to the books I’ve read and change the ratings, which are usually rated more low. Anyway, that’s all. Goodbye.
__________

How do you even begin to write an unpopular opinion for a book like Heated Rivalry?

Buddy read with Lara, who made this reading experience better. Thank you for reading this with me and dealing with my spam at certain times. I’m sad we didn’t like this, but glad we ended up having similar thoughts in the end.

To all my friends who have constantly recommended this to me (some of you have even begged), believe me when I say I’m mad that I didn’t like this. Usually, I try not to let the hype get to me, but when you take a book like HR, it is impossible not to have high expectations, and that is a strong reason why I didn’t like this. Could I have enjoyed this when it came out since it wasn’t as popular? Honestly, I don’t think so because I’ve always been about that emotional and romantic connection anyway, so everything that bothered me now would have most likely bothered me before. Would I have rated it higher? Most likely yes because past-me was such a people pleaser.

It’s like Thrown Off the Ice again. But in this case, HR, as I see it, is a classic MM. I know we usually associate classics with books from the 1800s or whatnot, but HR is a classic MM, especially sports-romance/hockey romance, along with Him. Are you really an MM reader and lover if you haven’t read this? It’s one of the most commonly recommended stories, and I have to say, I’m disappointed.

To get it out of the way: This isn’t an enemies to lovers; it’s a rivals (with benefits) to lovers. Shane and Ilya say they hate each other, but we know what that means. So to put it short, Heated Rivalry follows Canadian hockey player Shane Holland and Russian player Ilya Rozanov who are two idiots always horny for each other.

That’s it. That’s all this is about.

I consider it rivals to lovers and not enemies to lovers (although I’m having trouble understanding the lovers part) because the two are so competitive and always try beating each other during their games. I want to say that they have hate sex once or twice, but I already forgot with all the sex they had. Still, the hate is never really there. This is a reason why enemies to lovers is not something I read a lot because the trope feels so loosely marketed all the time. The characters always hate each other for like, 10% of the book, and later on start developing feelings, whether romantic or sexual, that the hate is suddenly invisible. Two characters will dislike/hate each other so much but they're so attractive and sexy that it overpowers that dislike.

“Shane fucking hated him. But Rozanov was really good at sucking cock, and he was, for whatever reason, willing.”
(This is from the prologue, so it was October 2016, but it’s basically the entire premise. If that’s your type of “enemies” to lovers, then you'll probably be okay with this)

So yes, Ilya and Shane are rivals, and it’s evident in how they communicate. I’m not complaining, though. Their banter was one of the only things I liked from this, yet a large portion of the credit should be suitably given to Ilya. Confident, cocky, and straightforward, Ilya doesn’t care about what others think about him and knows he’s good. His personality shines on and off-page. Whether it was his perspective, it’s easy to imagine his character in a realistic scenario. He knows what he wants, what he can get, and knows he’s right. However, under all that mockery, perky humor, and interesting character lies a side of him stowing away. Playing for the Boston Bears as a Russian, he faces more criticism than others think. He has no family who loves him, his father does not treat him nicely, and his brother only calls him for money. He sometimes becomes annoyed with his accent, is scared of coming out not only because he’s a hockey player but because of Russia’s LGBTQ+ rights, and feels alone. Shane ends up being one of the only important people in his life. Adding on to that, I also found the obsession Ilya had with Shane’s freckles cute. I love it when one character loves a specific feature about the other character that they can’t stop thinking about it.

But, despite the top-notch, entertaining, and playful banter between the two and the obsession with freckles, there was nothing else this offered.

To put it mildly, the book is more than half sexual. The prologue started in October 2016. A sex scene. Then we go back to when Shane and Ilya met in December 2008. Time jump to June 2009. Shane has spent the last six months obsessed with Ilya. Do we see these obsessive thoughts? No. Time jump to December 2009. The whole chapter was an inner monologue of Ilya with only one dialogue between the two. Time jump to July 2010. The two engage sexually for the first time. What follows next are more time jumps (sometimes one or two months, sometimes it’s the next year) and some “moments” thrown in there for laughs and giggles. We see Shane and Ilya do nothing but hook up almost every month between these time jumps.

It’s all an exhausting, frustrating, annoying cycle.

The time jumps were probably one of the worst things about this. We’re supposed to believe their feelings are growing for each other as they do nothing but hook up throughout six years (and counting). We go from them hooking up once to them hooking up again two months later, with nothing in between or before that. And then it just repeats. Three months later. Four. Five. Next year. The sex scenes became so repetitive and tiring, I became so exhausted that I started skimming them. They were all the same, with the few changes being some positions, angles, and hotels (cause they only hooked up at hotels besides that (1) time).

I can tell you absolutely NOTHING about the two, even though we’ve seen them grow for six years. The insta-lust and “slow-burn” isn’t even what bothered me. It was how we’re set to believe they’ve known each other for six years, yet all they did for the majority of the book was hook up. They never stayed and talked. I didn’t like this at all because I want to see their thoughts and actions outside the bedroom. But we don't see them because there aren’t any. It doesn't help that according to The Long Game, they've been seeing each other for ten years, but six/seven of those years were of them hooking up. It was all a complete waste of time and missed opportunity to add character development, both individual and for the relationship. My asthmatic lungs started hurting from how much I started laughing when the two wondered why they didn’t talk before. Like shit, what an interesting thought, huh?

Look, I’m all for the couple taking months or years to get together, but I want to see that emotional connection the two start sharing where they want to be together but can’t. The yearning, the pining, the forbidden love? Especially yearly?! Yes, please! Their relationship starts in 2008 and the book ends sixteen months after July 2017 (you do the math). Would this be something I love? Absolutely. But that isn't how it happened here. All that “progression” was sexual. They take years to admit their “feelings” because all they did in those years was hook up and leave before someone saw them together. The time jumps didn't help because they only added to the missed opportunities of seeing the relationship grow since it jumps from one sex scene, to some monologue, to another sex scene, to a hockey game, to a scene of their personal life, and so on. In other words, whatever happens outside of the bedroom is what we don't see besides the few and small scenes mentioned above.

Yes, I know I’m repeating myself. That should be okay, though, because this book did that too.

The two are so horny for each other that it took Ilya until November 2016 to say Shane’s name because they would refer to each other as their last name (not to mention it was pre-orgasm). Usually, this is something I adore, especially in hate to love books, because the last name-calling becomes adoring and even endearing when they get together. But here I question: Was I supposed to feel something for the first time Ilya said Shane’s name even though they hooked up so many times before that? Add on to that how little they knew about each other because, again, all they know how to do is hook up. All we know is that Ilya’s favorite drink is Coke. We also know that the two are hockey players who met when they were rookies at seventeen. Ilya is bisexual and Russian, and Shane is gay and Canadian (with Japanese roots, although him being part Japanese is pretty irrelevant). Ilya also has a shitty family and his mom is dead, while Shane has nice and supportive parents.

In between these time jumps, I can count on one hand how many cute scenes there were: Ilya and the kids; the support of Shane’s parents because there is nothing better than parents accepting their children as who they are; when Shane told Ilya to talk to him in Russian because it’s easier for him; the time Ilya was worried when Shane got hurt; the time Ilya made Shane a tuna melt, and they laid down together.

But of course, both of those last scenes then had to be ruined by making them sexual because the two were pretty damn incapable of having one scene where they simply talked. Sex is the only thing these two know how to do because they choose not to try anything else. So talking without getting horny is impossible for them.

I didn’t keep track of how many sex scenes there are, but there are 15 (I got this from Alisa’s review). Regardless, it felt more than that. And because they all felt the same with those tiny, minor changes, they were no longer good.

“They should give us a chance to get to know each other,” Ilya said. He leaned in and dropped his voice. “We might even have something in common.”
(That’s funny cause you’ve had the last six years or so to do that, actually)

Before we know it, the two have suddenly started caring for each other and started falling in love. How? Where? Why? I have no idea how the two started seeing each other differently when they know almost nothing about each other, haven’t had a conversation without it becoming about sex or their rivalry, or weren’t even friends. Perhaps these moments happen off-page, but even if we aren’t shown, we aren’t told either. I’d expect some backstory on what the two had previously discussed or how much time they spent getting to know each other off-page. Something. Anything that contributed to the new perspectives they had of each other. But that didn’t happen because, as I’ve said too many times that I’m annoyed at myself as well, the only time they talked was when they had sex. This is a very weak strategy. Considering they have sex more than ten times, with those sex scenes being an excessive amount of pages, their scenes never felt tender, sweet, or intimate. Like the time Ilya almost cried as he told Shane about his mother. The chapter ended there, and while the next started with them playing video games (think FIFA but the hockey version), it later turns into them having sex. There was also the time Shane went to the hospital because he got slammed in the wall during a hockey match, and the only thing he was worried about was the fact that his and Ilya’s “night” (you know, night) was ruined.

I know I already said this, but they had so much sex that my brain became damaged from its repetitiveness.

I understand this is rivals with benefits to lovers, but sex being the primary plot device for the actual 50% of the story and later being used in between scenes for the rest of the story makes it weak. With the blurb saying, “As their attraction intensifies, they struggle to keep their relationship out of the public eye. If the truth comes out, it could ruin them both. But when their need for each other rivals their ambition on the ice, secrecy is no longer an option…”, I really thought there would be that forbidden love part where the two find ways to be together. But when you only let your characters be together as rivals in the ice and fuck buddies in hotels, it becomes cheap. And if someone says, “They can’t be together because they can’t risk it” or anything similar, that is exactly why the forbidden part failed. If the author can give them 10 minutes to fuck, why can’t those 10 minutes be replaced with domesticity?

Their attraction is lust. Point black. Nothing else. I knew this was insta-lust, and know that beforehand actually helps, but not when the whole book is that.
The feelings they started feeling towards each other were guided by their dicks and arousal. They came out of nowhere.
Tension? Too sexual. Forbidden love? Needed improvement. Their need? Horny 25/8. Relationship? Well, if you count the benefits part, that’s it.

“The last time they had really spoken had been almost six months ago, before the Olympics, and Shane hadn’t actually done all that much talking. What he had done was let Rozanov push him to his knees in the middle of his hotel room and fuck his mouth until Shane’s eyes watered.”
(Talking wasn’t even an option when all you think about is dick)

In other words, I will never understand hypersexual people.

I know many of us care more about characters than plot, and usually, a plot is irrelevant to me in a romance book. However, I think adding one can add strength to the book, but it depends on how it’s written and how much it contributes to the overall romance. In this case, with the repeated and constant sex in this, even the plot wasn't able to make up for it. Why? Cause there wasn't even one! Even the banter and how much I liked Ilya (and Shane too, I guess) didn’t save the story for me, so even the story itself was irrelevant because where even WAS the story? Lara mentioned how this felt like a long prologue, and it did when I think about it. There is no character development whatsoever that the two felt the same by the end. Like, two things happened in the entire thing.

Let’s see.

Ilya’s dad died, so he went back to Russia.

I think that was it, actually.

Shit.

Am I missing something?

Wait.

What actually happened, besides sex?

Hold on, I’m thinking.

I think…

Um…

Well, I’m sure something happened…

Right?

I recently got a retail job so let’s just blame that on taking over my brain and pretend this story was memorable.

Anyway.

It was also upsetting not knowing what Ilya told Shane in Russian. It would have made a big difference in the story. I love it when a character speaks in a different language and uses it to say pretty words to another character because they know they won’t understand. Maybe the author was scared to be wrong with the translations or something.

“I’m fucked,” he murmured in Russian. “I am so fucking in love and it’s horrible.”
“In Russian.” No, tell me in Russian)

I’d rate this 1-star if it weren’t for the banter and freckles. In the end, this was, quite honestly, one of the most overrated and overhyped books I’ve read.

*Yawn*
Next.

[Ali L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two hockey players, both dumbasses in their own way, join the NHL and become rich and famous. They play for different teams but don’t let that get in the way of a decade-long lots-of-strings-attached top-secret affair. Ilya is a cocky, ne’er-do-well Russian and Shane is a Canadian who is chihuahua-like in his nervous energy. This book is not a slow burn in the traditional sense, as we see them bang vigorously in an empty condo within the first 20 pages, but it is a slow burn in the sense that neither of them admit to possessing a single feeling (besides Shane’s anxiety) until about 65% in. If you’re concerned that you’re not enough of a sports fan to enjoy, let me assure you: I have never watched a hockey game in my life and I gave this 5 stars. It’s people on ice chasing a biscuit, don’t worry about it. If you reach the end and go “sorry what?” fear not; they have a second book that you will want to get immediately. Why do I love this book with such devoted fervor? Simple: I adore idiots to lovers, and Ilya and Shane are their kings.

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread- October 2023

**********************************************
Reread - December 2021

One of the best mm enemies to lovers ever. I will never get tired of this book.

**********************************************
GAAAAAAHHH!!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!

As for the Audiobook, let's just say it is tolerable. I bumped the speed up and it worked. Good thing the story is fantastic.

"I hate you."
"I know, Now Suck my dick"

That is so sexy!!! Ilya!! GAAAAAAAHH!!!

**********************************************
“I want to be in your lap when you fuck me. Facing you. Holding you.”



GAAAAAAAH!!! BOOKS! BOOKS! And MORE BOOKS! Where would I be without BOOKS?

Warning! GUSHING! GUSHING AND MORE GUSHING!!!

MC 1: Shane

MC 2: Ilya

Look at that cover!



I read Special Forces - Soldiers and said, This is the Best Enemies to Lovers story ever, nothing can ever come close. Then I read Captive Prince and I was like; This is the Best Enemies to Lovers story ever, ever, ever. THEEEEEN! I read this and I am like: This is the Best Enemies to Lovers story ever. Ok! that means I have 3 best Enemies to Lover story ever.

This is how you write an enemies to lovers story.

There is something about Russians in books. I freaking love them Russian MCs. Ilya Razanov is now my number 3 Russian book boyfriend, Of course Vadim and Alexei will forever top them all. Ilya love, no. 3 is not bad, you get a bronze! YAY!

Shane: Rozanov was a stunning man. Light brown curls that were always a mess fell into his playful hazel eyes and over his dark, thick eyebrows. His strong jaw and cleft chin were covered in stubble. His smile was lopsided and lazy, and his teeth were unnaturally white due to most of them not being real.

Me: There he is my Russian! Ok! Shane’s Russian but still!

These two MCs are so well written, so well developed and the chemistry they have is out of this world. Shane and Ilya start the book as enemies and slowly they evolve into a beautiful love story. This part is where the author shines. The relationship development is so realistic and just right. Gaaaah! Just Gaaaaah! The slow burn is soooooooooooo goooood! Soothing and GAAAAAH!

The banter in this book is gold. I was Loling and fanning myself at the same time. YAAAP! It is that Amazing! The conversations between Shane & Ilya are engaging and also realistic.

Rozanov didn’t reply for a moment. Then he turned back to the television and said, “I like girls.”
“Yeah, no shit.”
“But I also like you.”
“Well, lucky me,” Shane grumbled.
“Not as a person, of course,” Rozanov teased.
“But you have a good mouth.” He took a suggestive bite of his dill pickle.



THE SEX! THE FREAKING SEX! Jesus Lawd! Phantom multiple Orgasms!!!! Hot! Hotter! Hottest! My pants were on fire. Poof panties gone. The sex scenes are a lot in this book but they are part of the story, and the chemistry between the MCs makes it worth it.

Fuck.” He kissed Rozanov again, rough and needy. God, he needed this. This horrible, fucked-up thing.
“You taste like beer,” Rozanov said.
“You taste like that horrible gum you chew.”
“Is so I don’t smoke!”
“Shut up.”
They grappled and maneuvered each other until they reached the bedroom, where Shane shoved Rozanov roughly against a wall and continued kissing him. He felt the familiar slide of his rival’s tongue in his mouth, and slid his own tongue over teeth that had been fixed and replaced god knew how many times.



I like how Ilya’s family issues was handled, kudos for not letting that drag out throughout the story. Oh! I don’t like them at all.

Rachel Reid did a 360 with her writing. This book and book 1 are so different. Dear Author, keep doing what you are doing, it is working. I liked book 1 and freaking LOOOOVED book 2.

Hockey and Sex is the best combo ever.

[brooke (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

➸ 4.5 stars

“you are very beautiful.” ilya said. shane smiled without opening his eyes. “come on.” “is the truth. your freckles.” ilya grazed a fingertip over his own cheek. “i am nuts about them.”

i have a severe case of ilyashane brainrot. i want this book engraved in my heart forever 🧸🔐

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

They hated each other but they couldn't keep their hands off each other...

Not so much enemies to lovers but enemies AND lovers.... nothing better ( this stuff makes me swoon)

This book pushed all my buttons in the very best way.I absolutely loved it.


Fierce rivalry on the ice rink and even fiercer passion between the sheets.

Shane and Ilya are both 19 when come into the media spotlight.Not just because they're such promising young players but their hatred for each other becomes legendary.Wouldn't the world love to know the truth?? Starting in the present day the story then goes back seven years to when they both started hooking up.



HATE-SEX.....people!! And it was downright delicious. The sex scenes,and there's a lot of them,are scorching hot.The Author gets it just right here.You don't get pages and pages of long drawn out foreplay and preparation here....these boys get straight to it and it's pretty damn perfect.It's desperate sex at it's best.There's pushing against walls,throwing on the bed,dirty kisses,it's take-me-now,I'll-beg-if- I-have-to stuff.....

*twirls*


I'm not normally a fan of sports romance but,again,the Author totally nailed the sports element.The ice hockey theme was,obviously,ever present but never got boring.Often with these stories you get a lot about rules,tactics,etc but I never felt that here-in fact I might have fallen in love with ice hockey a bit.


Ok,so it took a while for the feelings to come but I didn't care.It worked.I read this in 24 hours.These boys went everywhere with me,I couldn't put it down once I started and isn't that just the best thing?


I adored these two guys.I loved the writing.I honestly can't fault this.

Highly Recommended.


Review copy provided by the publisher,via NetGalley

[mwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reasons you should read this book:

Ilya motherfucking Rozanov.

Edit: 11/10/25

We're getting a TV show bitches!!!!!
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ADi1iextoUM?si=4W-Qy...

28/11/2025 AND WE'RE LIVE!!

[Uswah · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

I guess I’m just gonna watch the show 😔 because no offense, this book is filled with smut 😭 and I simply can’t take it anymore.

I actually like the characters, ngl. If they weren’t constantly focused on lusting after each other, I would’ve loved them 😭🫂

I started the book, the prologue shows up, I’m reading, everything is going well, and then suddenly, they’re doing IT. WHAAAAT!?!? Like PLEASE, at least leave the poor prologue alone 😭

And then after every 2–3 chapters, they’re back to banging each other 😭 I’m so sorry, but I came here to read the plot, not how they’re lusting over each other every five minutes 😭 I even tried to push through, but seriously… every two chapters?? 😭 I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

That being said, I don’t think I’ll be able to continue this series 😭 I’ll watch the show tho 😭 maybe the adaptation will redeem it.

Yea, that’s it, guys. Love y’all 🫶💙🩵

————————————————
🏒₊˚⊹♡ pre-read 🏒₊˚⊹♡

I neeeeed to dive into the series, but I’m making myself read the book first 🙂‍↕️ so obviously it’s turning into a group read with my besties Joe, Vaishnavi, Ayeley, and Kimberly 🤭💙🩵

[Kaila.Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ilya and Shane!!!!

This is a slow burn emotionally, not physically.

I saw a review calling it “just smut” and I don’t agree at all….. The spice is an intentional narrative tool. It shows how unbalanced their dynamic is.. giving each other everything physically while holding back affection and commitment . Which made for the most INSANE YEARNING. This book is a masterclass in tension and yearning.

“Does it feel like agony for you too”
“Not anymore”
I am a pile of tears.

[bruna]

๋ · ˚ 🖇️ ⊹ ⌇ pre-read. ⋆
⤿ started on december 20, 2025.

fomo brought me here... i’ve been seeing so many people reading this book and i’ve also been seeing lots of edits from the show, so of course i had to jump on the train. 🙂‍↕️ hope it’s as good as they say it is! 🤞🏻

buddy read with my twin lorena. 😽

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes… the gym scene…. I get it….
BUT THE FACT THAT WE MIGHT BE BLESSED WITH THE REAL LIFE POOL SCENE??????????
I’m hyperventilating 🙈




GINGER ALE AND TUNA MELTS 💖
LILY AND JANE 💖
ILYA JUMPING ON SHANE AT THE POOL WHEN HE WAS WET 💖
PUSHING SHANE OFF THE DOCK 💖
“Will you please … help me get my citizenship quicker?” (Not actual words but if you know, you know) 💖

I loved every moment and I’m so sad it’s over, please console me.

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

i won’t be able to concentrate on anything until The Long Game comes out, at this point 😞😞

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

reread (47821): september 2021

will my love for Ilya and Shane ever fade? will i ever get tired of rereading this book?

*alexa play never ever by got7* 🤪

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

5++ stars ☆

“It was. It really…made me hopeful. That things might be changing.”
Ilya shot the puck back to Shane. “It made me jealous,” he admitted.
Shane laughed. “You wanna kiss me on television?”
“Yes. After I win the Stanley cup.”

Ilya and Shane will always have a special place in my heart. although they had a lot of back and forth through majority of this book + time skips, i felt their connection. their banters, tension, rivalry. chefs kiss. i adored their conversations (especially in the second half when they finally had a mini vacation for themselves in Shane’s cottage!!) and ate up every word of this book. i’ve only loved this book more and more with each reread. it’s hard to accurately put into words exactly how i feel for these two, but just know i loved them. so much. i’m excited for the sequel! 🥺🤍

[Corina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe I can’t watch the Heated Rivalry show right now. Everyone is raving about it, posting screenshots, losing their minds over Shane and Ilya—and I’m just sitting here in Germany suffering in silence.
At this point I think I have to re-read the book, because I desperately need some Shane-and-Ilya energy in my life again.


UPDATE 2025: I can’t stop thinking about this book. I genuinely have to stop myself from rereading it on a loop, even though every part of me wants to. It brings me so much joy and has officially become my all-time favorite. ♡

UPDATE 2022: This is my fifth reread of Shane and Ilya’s story, and it never — ever — gets old. They’re hands down my favorite MM couple!

UPDATE 2022: OMG, OMG, OMG — I just got The Long Game on my Kindle! I’m rereading Heated Rivalry first and then diving straight into the sequel. A very happy reader over here! :D

UPDATE 2021: Still completely in love with this book and these two!

UPDATE: The second read was just as amazing as the first. I adore them. ♥︎

Wow, what a book.

Epic, sexy, and easily one of the best MM romances I’ve read so far.

It’s also one of the strongest enemies-to-lovers stories I’ve ever come across.

I finished Heated Rivalry in a single sitting—literally stayed up until 1 a.m. on a Saturday because I couldn’t put it down. From the first page, I was hooked. The tension was electric, and the whole story just radiated epicness.

The book focuses almost entirely on the two main characters, following their passionate, secret, ten-year entanglement. So much of their connection happens behind closed doors, and I loved that the author avoided the typical clichés. I went in expecting certain tropes, only to be surprised in the best way when those expectations were subverted.

It’s worth noting that Shane and Ilya don’t have a traditional “relationship” until later in the book. If you’re expecting a cozy, white-picket-fence arc, this isn’t that. They start as hookups and stay that way for a long time, living in different cities and only managing to see each other a few times a year.
Yes, the book has plenty of sexy moments, and the teasing and banter are top-tier. But what really stood out was the undeniable pull between them from the moment they met.

Ilya, especially as a native Russian speaker, was portrayed incredibly well. His English improves over the years, but the author leaves little linguistic details that remind you he’s still navigating a second language. It felt so authentic and really showcased the author’s commitment to character nuance.
Overall, the vibe of this story is unmatched. I still can’t pinpoint exactly what made it so game-changing for me — maybe the tight focus on character development, maybe the way the plot unfolds without relying on heavy external drama, maybe the sheer emotional intensity of their connection. Probably all of it.

Heated Rivalry is enemies-to-lovers at its absolute best, and I was completely enthralled. If anything, I love it more every time I read it.

[Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

obsessed is an understatement. haven't felt this invested in any sort of fandom since my 1D days. bless!!!!!!!

[Snjez · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me, this was one of those stories that grab you from page one and stay in your head even after you finish it.

Shane and Ilya have definitely become one of my favourite couples. Both are amazing characters, with Shane being my personal favourite just because he is sooo adorable.

The first part of the story was slower and a bit repetitive, not that it bothered me at all, but once their relationship started to shift, it was an absolute delight to read.

The writing style was fantastic. I had to re-read some dialogues, they were so delicious.
I only wish the epilogue was longer, I didn't want the story to end.

*******
Re-read 4/2022: Even though I first read it three years ago, I remembered so much of it. And it's still a favourite.

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heated Rivalry, which can be read as a standalone, is very different from the first book in the series. It's edgier and has bitter undertones, while the first book was all sweetness.

This is a true enemies-to-lovers story in that the two MCs are huge rivals on the ice while fucking each other's brains out off the ice. Their torrid affair is super hush-hush.

The story spans several years. There is some angst, a lot of smokin' sexy times, and a strong HFN.

I loved both MCs and the secondary characters.

I was a little disappointed with the ending, mostly because the MCs remain in the closet and only a few people know that they're a couple. I'm not saying this isn't realistic for two professional hockey players, but I prefer more gooey HEAs.

I love Rachel Reid's writing style and am looking forward to the next Game Changers book.

[Bailee Latham · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Yes yes I couldn’t resist reading this after watching the show!!!! Here’s the thing, if I hadn’t watched the show I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed this as much as I did. This is definitely a case, to me, where the show is better than the book. And some of the lines were BAR FOR BAR in the show. Loved that.

Regardless of that, I love them. The competitiveness, the jokes, the yearning, the love all of it I love them.

Was the book perfect? No. Do I care? Also no. Going immediately into The Long Game because I love them.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Heated Rivalry:



Listened to the entire audiobook in one day. Amazing, as expected. I'm obsessed with this book.

Re-read in audio, read my ebook review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Alisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had not cared much for the first book in the series but I saw so many glowing reviews of this one I decided to give this one a try. Turns out this author is not going to be for me.

It started really good. For the first 15% or so I thought this was going to be a great read. We meet Shane and Ilya in their current messed up situation and then it jumps back in time to them being teenage rookies and just meeting. Then I realized this was a pattern. They meet up, have sex, leave. Meet up, have sex, leave. It quickly went from unique to tedious. Finally around 60% or so we got caught up time wise to the current day. A few more things start to happen but they also drop back to the meet up, have sex, leave thing.

There was, in my opinion, an excessive amount of sex in this book. There were 15 sex scenes (I counted) and most of them are 5-7 pages long. They were the only way the author seemed to be able to show the guys were starting to care for each other. I don't like this technique at all. I think it's lazy and/or unskilled writing and not what I want in a book. I want to see how the MC's are falling in love through their thoughts and actions outside the bedroom. By the 60% mark or so I literally could not read another sex scene. I just skimmed them.

I wasn't buying the overall plot. They hook up for 6 years without becoming friends at all? They never talk, know nothing about each other? Then we get to a place where they're both internally thinking that they care for each other. How? Why? They've never talked outside of sex. It takes six years before they do anything as simple as make a sandwich for each other. They know nothing about each other outside of their hockey stats and what they've seen on TV. The whole thing was odd to me.

I didn't really care for either MC. We don't get to know them well. Everything is surface level. Shane in particular bothered me. He comes across very weak and whiny.

If you're not a hockey fan this next part won't bother you but I am and it did. The teams the guys are on is a famous real life rivalry (the cities...the team names here are made up). I was ok with that. It's not a unique, it's the two teams most authors seem to go to (I am still waiting for a Kings/Ducks rivalry authors!!) but it's very real and it sets a good vibe. It would be crazy if two Habs and Boston players started an affair with each other. I really bought into that part of their shared history and the authenticity of it was great. It wasn't too far into it though that I realized the author was basing Shane on Sidney Crosby and Ilya on Alexander Ovechkin and that's where she lost me. It is a real life rivalry (which is probably mostly media hype) and there is a ton of Crosby/Ove fanfic out there so apparently some people are fans of it but for me, no, just no. Like 'I just vomited a little in my mouth" level of no. I hate everything about this pairing. Too much to even begin to address in a review.

The one thing I loved about this book is that they chose to not come out about their relationship. I know this is a complaint from some readers but I loved it. It's realistic. I absolutely loathe in sports books where one MC forces the other to come out to prove their love (which was one of my complaints about the first book in this series). I'm super glad the author handled this aspect the way she did. I saw a few reviewers mention it was more HFN to them than HEA but I don't agree. These two had a firm plan for the rest of their lives. They have a plan for while they're playing and another for when they retire. (& hockey players rarely play past their early to mid 30s. It's not a long time to be private) They do not plan to split up. I think that's a firm HEA. Just because they plan to keep their private lives private doesn't change that for me.

So...I gave this author two tries and neither worked for me. This writing style is just not my thing. Most of the other reviews of this book are positive though so you should probably check out some of them.

**ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

[ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

i ADORE Ilya. i adore Shane.

yes, this book was filled with 50% smut but somehow Rachel Reid also created an emotional connection between them? I was blushing and swooning SO hard it’s kind of embarrassing. ilya’s Russian accent and Shane helping him UGHH. and them having little emotional and mundane moments together?!? 😭 those were my absolute favorite parts (I would’ve preferred more of these than the smut scenes). yeah !! overall i enjoyed and now i am running to go watch the show.

(too many smut scenes though)

⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹ ﹒ ⁺ ﹒ ⊹

ᝰ ⋆ ── preread ✶
time for another hockey romance + A BUDDY READ WITH MY BFF!! we've both been seeing so many amazing things about this (specifically the show), hopefully it's got a good plot 😩.

[Jay H (Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

EDIT: GUYS WE'RE GETTING A TV SHOW A FUCKING TV SHOW!!!!!!! I am having a fucking panic attack right now😭😭

Heated Rivalry Adaptation in the Works at Crave

Something occurred to Ilya after he ended the call with Shane: maybe Shane had recorded that call and was going to run it through some sort of translating app later.[...] That admission would have been embarrassing enough, but Ilya had also slipped in an "and on top of everything, I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you and I don't know what to do about it."

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 "You are very beautiful," Ilya said
Shane smiled without opening his eyes. "Come on."
"Is the truth. Your freckles." Ilya grazed a fingertip over his own cheek. "I am nuts about them."
"I have no idea why. I hate them."
"Noooo..." Ilya moaned. "Hollander. They are stunning."
"Stunning?"
"Yes. Am I not using that word right? Very beautiful. Um... take my breath?"❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

"I love you."
Shane froze. And then Ilya froze.
"Holy shit," Shane whispered. It wasn't how he had meant to respond
"I..." Ilya's eyes were so wide and so scared.
"I love you too," Shane said.
Ilya gave a shaky smile and exhaled. "Thank Christ."
"Does it...does it feel like agony for you too?" Ilya started to nod, then stopped. He shook his head slowly instead
"Not anymore."

"when I retire," Ilya said, "after I have won twelve Stanley Cups and thirteen MVP awards[...]"And you have been retired for, like, eight years already because you got very bad at hockey..."[...]"Then I will bring you to that dock out there. I will have hundreds of candles all over it.."[...]And I will get on one knee- [...] "And I will say, 'Shane Hollander, will you please marry me so I can become Canadian citizen faster?'😭😭 Ilya my babyyyy

[lakshmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

edit: I just saw the first two episodes of the tv show and OH MY GOD. am I the only one who absolutely loves it???? I made sure to not read the book so close to the release of the show to make sure I’m not picky or critical but it doesn’t even matter because I think it’s absolute perfection . I’m floating in feelings right now.


“Oh, is it a clear night?”
“Yes. Of course. And I will get on one knee—”
“Ilya—”
“And I will say, ‘Shane Hollander, will you please marry me so I can become Canadian citizen faster?’”
Shane burst out laughing, and shoved him. “You’re such an asshole.”
“And you will say yes, because you are a nice, helpful guy.”

I had to reread it🤷‍♀️

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ERMMMMM SAY WHAT NOW?????



NOW, the question becomes, DO I have time to reread this before episode 1 on Thursday? 🤔


Reread: 6/12/21

I couldn't resist after finishing Role Model. I wasn't quite ready to leave the hockey bublé just yet.

Was still phenomenal the 2nd time around too. I love these two together more than words can say.

🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒

True story. I read the first book in this series AFTER I read the blurb for this one.

One might say a solid case could be made for me having a "problem" with the enemies to lovers trope based on this information so... let's just keep it between us, k?

Ilya Rozanov was introduced in Game Changer but this could easily be read as a standalone. I liked the first book fine but I LOVED this one. Ilya and his bear tattoo having "for Russia!" ass shot to the top of my most favorite characters ever list. In the dictionary next to the word "cocky" should be his picture with his devil may care smirk. He knows how great he is and is more than willing to let you know too.

Gawd, I loved him! The whole book had me strung out on snark, feels and swooniness. And it showed. On my face. In the form of a dopey grin.



Straitlaced, do-gooder Shane Hollander is Ilya's arch rival. They are complete opposites excepting hockey. Both are at the top of the NHL food chain and constantly competing. In all things. Their constant smack talking and competitive natures was sports romance gold. Even when the L word became part of their vernacular they were still razzing each other and it was fantastic!

I adored them both. I liked the contrasts in them personality-wise and enjoyed watching both evolve as they realistically moved from super casual to friends with benefits to more over the course of nine/ten years. Ilya is confident in his bisexuality and experienced whereas Shane is still trying to figure it out and inexperienced with men. Shane's sexual discovery felt organic and I appreciated Rose's characterization and positivity so much.

Even though the NHL revels in highlighting their rivalry and differences, they have no issues between the sheets. A couple of scenes... JAYSUS! Have I mentioned how much I love it when they beg? Shane turns out to be quite the bottom. Bless him.



Reid did a great job of gradually building their backstories and showing their connection. They have fun and laugh which I find appealing and I was delighted that it continued throughout the story. Their banter had me doing that weird half bark, half laugh thing that's guaranteed to make strangers look at you like you've lost your damn mind.

Tis true, there's not much I like better than sports romance. But then to add in an enemies to lovers trope, comedy, sexiness that blew my doors off and top it off with a heaping dollop of squishy marshmallowness?



The only thing missing was an age difference which likely would've caused me to burst into a cloud of marshmallow floof, glitter and bubbles so... I think we all dodged a bullet there. #messy

I usually like to close with recommending the book to people, but in lieu of that I will say I like my sleep. Rarely does a book come along that interferes with it but this one did. I couldn't wait to be back in the Ilya/Shane bublé, so I stayed up late and woke early. I also seldom want to start a book over immediately upon finishing it and I'm still tempted to jump back in this bublé.



An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read #3: 10/12/25
Rating: All the Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
❤️‍🔥🖥️for Crave's spectacular luscious Russian, Ilya
💓📖and a thousand other just as valid, Shane-inclusive, super-melty reasons




***CRAVE'S HEATED RIVALRY IS NOW MY BRAIN ON SHANE AND ILYA, AND I WILL NEVER PROCESS THIS BOOK THE WAY I DID BEFORE THIS SHOW CHANGED MY BRAIN CHEMISTRY ENTIRELY***

Re-read #2: 20/01/22

Rating: All the Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



This book is an absolute favourite for a reason! Shane and Ilya's love story clings to my ribs like comfort food that feeds every place inside that needs a hug and this feels like forever.

🔥Plus it's hockey and the sex is hot AF🔥

[Fiza · ia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 cuz I'm a good gurl??


Nothing really happened except s3x


Also for me it was like this;

SHANE HOLLANDER 💋💋💋
ILYA ROZANOV 💋

[Joshita ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd Re-read: Every time I think my Shane and Ilya fever is over, all I need to do is just read this again skskjsks
ALSO THE SHOW IS AMAZING I WILL KMS 😭😭

1st Re-read: still a bop!
4.5★

Why do the best books have the cringest covers ever! Please just IGNORE the damn cover and read the goddamn book!

"Are you getting tired of second place?" Rozanov smirked.
"I'm winning this game," Shane growled.
"There is not an 'I' in team, right?"
"There's and 'I' in 'suck my dick.'"
Rozanov raised an eyebrow as they bent for the face-off.
“There is also an ‘I’ in ‘silver,’” he said.

This...was so good *sobs*. I wanna cry because of how single I feel right now *voice cracks*
I had my doubts man! but what a fucking book!!!

♠Hockey players ✔
♠enemies-to-lovers ✔
♠forbidden love ✔
♠humor ✔
♠amazing plot and writing ✔
♠relationship goals ✔
♠Very steamy sex ✔
♠Amazing banter ✔
WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT!

Shane and Ilya are leading players for NHL. And they both belonging to opposing teams are very famous for their on-court rivalry but what people don't know is they have been hooking up for more than 6 years now....and 6 years of no-strings-attached could only work for a while, it isn't long when things start to change for them both.

I honestly had my doubts (i have doubts for every book I read but...anyways) BUT I have learned something, whenever I am not sure about a book, I end up loving it. So read this! I loved the pacing of the book. I loved the characters, I loved everything....did I dislike anything—I am too happy right now to figure that out.

“I like girls.”
“Yeah, no shit.”
“But I also like you.”
“Well, lucky me,” Shane grumbled.
“Not as a person, of course,” Rozanov teased.
“But you have a good mouth.”

Shane and Ilya's relationship is so fucking interesting...enemies to fuck buddies to friends to lovers. I loved how much they both loved to hate one another but as the story progressed you could see how their relationship evolved. They had an underlying attraction for each other but on top, they had mutual respect for one another even though they were archrivals. It is a whole package y'all. The heat, chemistry, humor, banter, it is all there served on a platter. (READ IT!)

The writing...oh dear lord..amazing! *chefs kiss* There was so much character development here, Shane and Ilya felt like different people by the end. I honestly cannot tell you how many dialogues, I wanna highlight and post here but it would never be enough!
And if this isn't enough to convince you—*whispers* Ilya is Russian, he has a very sexy accent (as if I can hear him lol), he is a douchebag with a kind heart, and he is a badass sexy ninja hockey player.

Ilya kissed his dumb mouth and swallowed his stupid little sighs and felt his annoying fingers in his hair. He pulled back so he could look at his horrible face with its ridiculous freckles.

This review is short but I mean it...read the book, it is worth the try.
THIS BOOK DESERVES MORE ATTENTION!!! READ IT! (57578th reminder here—read the book!)

"I hate you."
"I know, Now Suck my dick"

*if you get addicted to Shane and Ilya, there is a sequel coming up soon and in meantime here are 2 short stories the author posted on her website,
♣Halloween with Ilya
♣My Dinner with Hayden: A Heated Rivalry Short Story