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… One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise! This book is approximately 66,000 words

Heated Rivalry

Alyssa Weaver

"If you mix that with cranberry juice I will drown you in the lake."

"I have been with lots of women. That was not...fake. But.." He looked at Shane, and Shane held his breath. "I have only been in love with one person."

"Holy shit," Shane whispered. It wasn't how he had meant to respond.

"I.." Ilya's eyes were so wide and so scared

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

"I like you, Hollander." It wasn't an earth-shattering confession, but the words still moved Shane enormously.

"Mine." Ilya's breath tickled Shane's skin when he spoke the single word

Forever, Shane wanted to say. Forever if you ask.

There was only one ring before, "Holy shit, Ilya!

"I am not alone," Ilya said. "You are here now, yes?"

Shane's hand flew to his chest to make sure his

heart was still beating; he could have sworn it had just melted into a gooey puddle.

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."

And Shane left. He realized, when he was back in his room, that they hadn't even kissed. He also realized, with horror, that he regretted that.

We were supposed to stand alone at the top, but we will always be there together. We will keep climbing until no one else can reach us, but it will always be together.

“...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.”

Really funny that this is the book that gets me to hit my reading goal, but I guess it makes sense since I only started reading it because of the show (I’m impatient!)

I have so many qualms with the writing and structure, and I think I only really finished it because of the show. The show made so many great changes to plot structure and characterization that helped me stay engaged and invested. If I hadn’t watched the show, I don’t think I would’ve finished the book. It had its moments though!

Carmen

Really funny that this is the book that gets me to hit my reading goal, but I guess it makes sense since I only started reading it because of the show (I’m impatient!)

I have so many qualms with the writing and structure, and I think I only really finished it because of the show. The show made so many great changes to plot structure and characterization that helped me stay engaged and invested. If I hadn’t watched the show, I don’t think I would’ve finished the book. It had its moments though!

I love my very close friends ilya and shane

Read this because of the show. Sexy and sweet. 

Kierce

The start of an epic enemies-to-lovers hockey romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Rachel Reid—book two in her fan-favorite Game Changers series. Nothing interferes with pro hockey star Shane Hollander’s game. Now that he’s captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won’t let anything jeopardize that—definitely not the sexy rival he loves to hate. 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. Publicly, they’re enemies. Privately, they can’t stop touching each other. The smart thing to do? Walk away, once a few secret hookups turn into a struggle to keep their relationship out of the press. The truth could ruin them both. But for Shane and Ilya, secrecy is soon no longer an option… Game Changers Book 1: Game Changer Book 2: Heated Rivalry Book 3: Tough Guy Book 4: Common Goal Book 5: Role Model Book 6: The Long Game

I don’t have any deep thoughts about this book specifically except the fact that they absolutely own my heart. Ilya and Shane are so pure at the heart of everything they go through and I adore them more than I can explain. There’s definitely a lot of smut… more than I usually go for but it still works for the book and it never really took anything away for me.

I love that their relationship stretches over such a long time, it just makes it hit so much harder… the yearning, I can’t. I already miss them and I cannot wait to keep watching their story come to life on the show for the next few weeks. They’re … everything actually? 🙂‍↕️🏒

Eimear O'Connor 

I don’t have any deep thoughts about this book specifically except the fact that they absolutely own my heart. Ilya and Shane are so pure at the heart of everything they go through and I adore them more than I can explain. There’s definitely a lot of smut… more than I usually go for but it still works for the book and it never really took anything away for me.

I love that their relationship stretches over such a long time, it just makes it hit so much harder… the yearning, I can’t. I already miss them and I cannot wait to keep watching their story come to life on the show for the next few weeks. They’re … everything actually? 🙂‍↕️🏒

sometimes all a man needs is reading smut as if it was classic literature ... yeah ❤️

gabriele

This is really weird. I don't know how to answer any questions about this book because there was no plot and there was barely any characterization...it's just smut!

 So this wasn't a great book but it was an easy read; I finished it in one day. This is barely a novel. There is barely a plot. Over 60% of this book is just jumping from one sex scene to another, so it's more like a collection of steamy moments than a proper novel. And it gets a bit repetitive and one-note though the level of anxiety ebbs and flows for the main characters. The characterization is basic, and so are the events. I was a bit disappointed. I have read Hockey AU fanfictions that had a more engaging plot actively involving Hockey the game, than this book did. Here, the sport is a very vague backdrop. We hear the most basic information about the games: that these are sports games that involve winning and losing, there's a puck, and it's played on ice! Oh and teams can win the Stanley Cup, and for a hot minute, I thought they were talking about those hideous water cups that were trending for a hot minute...it's not that one. I feel like the lack of Hockey makes this a slightly boring book. At least when it comes to sports fiction. It doesn't fare much better as a romance novel, though.

It's entertaining enough that you can get through it but it only gives the barest of the good, fleshy romance content about three-quarters into the book. And I just think we could use a lot more yearning and a Lot more plot, here. The side characters are also non-existent, basically. Well, they are there but they have the vaguest sense of presence. More NPC than side characters. They're just there so the characters can interact with a few more people and not just each other.

I hope the show adds some more interesting background plots and fleshes out the side characters.

I'm very neutral about this book. It wasn't a masterpiece or a very touching read, but it was okay enough that you can finish reading it. Audiobook helped. 

Autumn 

This is really weird. I don't know how to answer any questions about this book because there was no plot and there was barely any characterization...it's just smut!
Also that cover is terrible. 
 So this wasn't a great book but it was an easy read; I finished it in one day. This is barely a novel. There is barely a plot. Over 60% of this book is just jumping from one sex scene to another, so it's more like a collection of steamy moments than a proper novel. And it gets a bit repetitive and one-note though the level of anxiety ebbs and flows for the main characters. The characterization is basic, and so are the events. I was a bit disappointed. I have read Hockey AU fanfictions that had a more engaging plot actively involving Hockey the game, than this book did. Here, the sport is a very vague backdrop. We hear the most basic information about the games: that these are sports games that involve winning and losing, there's a puck, and it's played on ice! Oh and teams can win the Stanley Cup, and for a hot minute, I thought they were talking about those hideous water cups that were trending for a hot minute...it's not that one. I feel like the lack of Hockey makes this a slightly boring book. At least when it comes to sports fiction. It doesn't fare much better as a romance novel, though.
It's entertaining enough that you can get through it but it only gives the barest of the good, fleshy romance content about three-quarters into the book. And I just think we could use a lot more yearning and a Lot more plot, here. The side characters are also non-existent, basically. Well, they are there but they have the vaguest sense of presence. More NPC than side characters. They're just there so the characters can interact with a few more people and not just each other.
I hope the show adds some more interesting background plots and fleshes out the side characters.
I'm very neutral about this book. It wasn't a masterpiece or a very touching read, but it was okay enough that you can finish reading it. Audiobook helped. 

Voto complessivo: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes and vibes:  mm - hockey romance - rivals to lovers

Sull’onda del tanto parlare dell’adattamento televisivo tuttora in onda, ho deciso di recuperare Heated Rivalry, secondo volume della serie hockey romance mm Game Changers di Rachel Reid.

Sembra proprio che Shane Hollander e Ilya Rozanov siano destinati a incontrarsi e scontrarsi sul campo da gioco e non solo: entrambi astri nascenti dell’hockey e ingaggiati da due squadre notoriamente rivali, vengono costantemente paragonati, e la stampa sguazza nella loro tanto decantata acrimonia. Dopotutto non potrebbero essere più diversi: Shane è il tipico bravo ragazzo, sempre impeccabile, con una famiglia perfetta che lo sostiene. Ilya è arrogante, attaccabrighe e donnaiolo.

Quello che c’è tra i due fuori dalla pista però ben diverso da quelli che la gente immagina: una relazione segreta che va avanti da anni, anche se entrambi la considerano un errore…

Che dire: se fosse solo per Ilya e Shane, darei anche 5 stelle, perché insieme sono molto carini. Purtroppo la storia è davvero poca cosa: i loro incontri clandestini e un finale aggiustatutto (o quasi) fin troppo semplice. A fine libro non ho potuto fare a meno di chiedermi “Tutto qui?”. Non a caso, il sesto volume della serie riprende la storia di Rozanov e Hollander, perché le possibilità di aggiungere altro ci sono sicuramente.

Lo stile narrativo è basico; non aspettatevi nessun virtuosismo letterario. Solitamente è un aspetto a cui non do peso, prediligendo trama e personaggi; ma quando è così disarmante, non me lo sento di non farne parola. Insomma, siamo ai livelli di una fanfiction.

Nel momento in cui scrivo siamo a 2 episodi per la serie tv (il terzo è appena uscito/sta per uscire), e da quanto ho visto credo che, pur essendo un prodotto senza grande pretese, è probabile che nobiliterà, e di molto, il materiale originale.

Ilaria Emme

Voto complessivo: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dramma: 💧.5

Sugar: 🧁🧁🧁

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Tropes and vibes:  mm - hockey romance - rivals to lovers

Sull’onda del tanto parlare dell’adattamento televisivo tuttora in onda, ho deciso di recuperare Heated Rivalry, secondo volume della serie hockey romance mm Game Changers di Rachel Reid.

Sembra proprio che Shane Hollander e Ilya Rozanov siano destinati a incontrarsi e scontrarsi sul campo da gioco e non solo: entrambi astri nascenti dell’hockey e ingaggiati da due squadre notoriamente rivali, vengono costantemente paragonati, e la stampa sguazza nella loro tanto decantata acrimonia. Dopotutto non potrebbero essere più diversi: Shane è il tipico bravo ragazzo, sempre impeccabile, con una famiglia perfetta che lo sostiene. Ilya è arrogante, attaccabrighe e donnaiolo.

Quello che c’è tra i due fuori dalla pista però ben diverso da quelli che la gente immagina: una relazione segreta che va avanti da anni, anche se entrambi la considerano un errore…

Che dire: se fosse solo per Ilya e Shane, darei anche 5 stelle, perché insieme sono molto carini. Purtroppo la storia è davvero poca cosa: i loro incontri clandestini e un finale aggiustatutto (o quasi) fin troppo semplice. A fine libro non ho potuto fare a meno di chiedermi “Tutto qui?”. Non a caso, il sesto volume della serie riprende la storia di Rozanov e Hollander, perché le possibilità di aggiungere altro ci sono sicuramente.

Lo stile narrativo è basico; non aspettatevi nessun virtuosismo letterario. Solitamente è un aspetto a cui non do peso, prediligendo trama e personaggi; ma quando è così disarmante, non me lo sento di non farne parola. Insomma, siamo ai livelli di una fanfiction.

Nel momento in cui scrivo siamo a 2 episodi per la serie tv (il terzo è appena uscito/sta per uscire), e da quanto ho visto credo che, pur essendo un prodotto senza grande pretese, è probabile che nobiliterà, e di molto, il materiale originale.

They’re lowkey toxic but initially I felt like Shane was slightly misogynistic with one comment he made about women being easier to sleep with cause they surround him. 

however I think the reason why I really like this couple is because of the show 100%. The guys portrayed these characters so so well. 

Keira 💫

They’re lowkey toxic but initially I felt like Shane was slightly misogynistic with one comment he made about women being easier to sleep with cause they surround him. 

however I think the reason why I really like this couple is because of the show 100%. The guys portrayed these characters so so well. 

Kymora Wang

the sex scenes on that tv series are gonna be insane

I would like to preface this by saying I did not hate this book. The writing was fine, if just a bit dull sometimes. It wasn’t horrible by any means, but it wasn’t spectacular either. There were some really good lines though, and towards the end things got really cute. That being said, not my favorite element by any means.

This book mainly only consists of the two main characters, there isn’t really a big cast of characters. I liked Shane and Ilya well enough, though Ilya had to grow on me for obvious reasons. He starts out as a pretty big asshole, and I feel like there was barely any pushback from Shane. I feel like he didn’t really stand up for himself when he should have in some moments. That being said, I liked them each on their own, I thought Ilya was pretty funny, and Shane was really sweet (I liked him more obviously). I didn’t mind following them as characters, and that was probably the main reason I kept reading. I would have liked to have them interact with others more though. Like Shane with his parents for example, and more on Ilya and his relationship with his dad. We understand it’s a complex one, but we get them interacting once.

The romance was a bit underwhelming for me. I was expecting something way more heated (heh). In all seriousness, I felt like there was barely any build up. I don’t like that we started out the book with them already hooking up. The time skips were too many and it felt unnecessary. I understand they may have been there to show the progression of their relationship from the beginning but it felt like it was just sex, and the dialogue in between didn’t really have that much substance. They really only started to get to know each other properly pretty late in the book, so I felt we could have done without that many times skips.

There also wasn’t much plot. I know I always say that I prefer sports romances to not go full sports mode because I know nothing about sports, but I still felt like this hockey book needed more hockey. Not because I care about the sport mind, but because I felt it would have helped to establish the rivalry better. I’m made to believe that they played against each other so fiercely on the ice that the entire hockey world thought they hated each other, but I didn’t get to see that so I didn’t feel the gravity. Sure they had some back and forth, but for the most part they were quite civil to each other. They even played together once on the same team where they seemed to not have clashed at all, and Ilya kissed Shane cheek in front of everyone. There was some competition, naturally because they were on opposite teams, but I don’t know about a strong rivalry. Really I got to like the romance in like the last 30%, they really are cute, I just wish they were developed as a couple better.

Alright folks, I really wanted to love this. I even had a whole victory speech planned for everyone who thought I would hate this, it started with “Well, the jokes on you!” I guess I could still say that because I didn’t hate this book. I had fun sometimes, and I really liked the last parts of the book. However, I wish it had a bit more substance and proper relationship development. All in all, a nice book to pop my hockey romance cherry.

bel 

I would like to preface this by saying I did not hate this book. The writing was fine, if just a bit dull sometimes. It wasn’t horrible by any means, but it wasn’t spectacular either. There were some really good lines though, and towards the end things got really cute. That being said, not my favorite element by any means.

This book mainly only consists of the two main characters, there isn’t really a big cast of characters. I liked Shane and Ilya well enough, though Ilya had to grow on me for obvious reasons. He starts out as a pretty big asshole, and I feel like there was barely any pushback from Shane. I feel like he didn’t really stand up for himself when he should have in some moments. That being said, I liked them each on their own, I thought Ilya was pretty funny, and Shane was really sweet (I liked him more obviously). I didn’t mind following them as characters, and that was probably the main reason I kept reading. I would have liked to have them interact with others more though. Like Shane with his parents for example, and more on Ilya and his relationship with his dad. We understand it’s a complex one, but we get them interacting once.

The romance was a bit underwhelming for me. I was expecting something way more heated (heh). In all seriousness, I felt like there was barely any build up. I don’t like that we started out the book with them already hooking up. The time skips were too many and it felt unnecessary. I understand they may have been there to show the progression of their relationship from the beginning but it felt like it was just sex, and the dialogue in between didn’t really have that much substance. They really only started to get to know each other properly pretty late in the book, so I felt we could have done without that many times skips.

There also wasn’t much plot. I know I always say that I prefer sports romances to not go full sports mode because I know nothing about sports, but I still felt like this hockey book needed more hockey. Not because I care about the sport mind, but because I felt it would have helped to establish the rivalry better. I’m made to believe that they played against each other so fiercely on the ice that the entire hockey world thought they hated each other, but I didn’t get to see that so I didn’t feel the gravity. Sure they had some back and forth, but for the most part they were quite civil to each other. They even played together once on the same team where they seemed to not have clashed at all, and Ilya kissed Shane cheek in front of everyone. There was some competition, naturally because they were on opposite teams, but I don’t know about a strong rivalry. Really I got to like the romance in like the last 30%, they really are cute, I just wish they were developed as a couple better.

Alright folks, I really wanted to love this. I even had a whole victory speech planned for everyone who thought I would hate this, it started with “Well, the jokes on you!” I guess I could still say that because I didn’t hate this book. I had fun sometimes, and I really liked the last parts of the book. However, I wish it had a bit more substance and proper relationship development. All in all, a nice book to pop my hockey romance cherry.

cute read and didnt really include any cringe conflict, which i appreciated. 

: even tho it's a bit cringe, we need to bring back covers like this to clearly distinguish between adult and teen/YA books.

: the duration of their romance and how they only saw each other a few times each year should have been explored more for more emotional impact. i was drawn to this book because i read that it spans 10 years and i'd hoped that the passing of those years would be a big focal point in the narration; it eventually wasnt as much as i'd have liked it to be.

lara

cute read and didnt really include any cringe conflict, which i appreciated. 

thought 1: even tho it's a bit cringe, we need to bring back covers like this to clearly distinguish between adult and teen/YA books.

thought 2: the duration of their romance and how they only saw each other a few times each year should have been explored more for more emotional impact. i was drawn to this book because i read that it spans 10 years and i'd hoped that the passing of those years would be a big focal point in the narration; it eventually wasnt as much as i'd have liked it to be.

Cici Pearson

overall i enjoyed this! it did take me a hot second to get into it — i got about halfway through and just didn’t feel compelled to continue until a friend started it too and i wanted to be able to discuss with her, so i kept going. i feel like when shane gets injured is when i rly started getting more invested bc that’s when they finally acknowledge that they have feelings for each other (albeit independently) AND actually start acting like it instead of just hooking up lol. loved the conversations they have at the cottage and getting to see moments where they can fully be themselves without having to worry about getting caught or feeling like their time is too limited. also loved ilya’s chirping lmao he made me laugh so much.

the ending does feel a bit rushed and a bit too idealistic; don’t LOVE shane’s plan to just stay in hiding lmaoo and then everyone just being like “yeah i think that’ll work!! no notes!” 😭 and i do feel like the forbidden ness of their relationship bc of their rivalry is a bit played up — i feel like i wouldn’t gaf like that lol sidney crosby is always inviting ppl i wouldn’t expect to his little summer camp so… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ esp bc ppl’s relationships change from when they’re first drafted to later on in their careers, where oftentimes ppl who are drafted at the same time are thrust together right before and after being drafted, but afterward become more and more enmeshed w their team rather than their draft class… well! that’s just me. but anyway it was a fun ride! v glad that the long game exists tho to sort of fill the gaps that the end of this story leaves!!

lucia

overall i enjoyed this! it did take me a hot second to get into it — i got about halfway through and just didn’t feel compelled to continue until a friend started it too and i wanted to be able to discuss with her, so i kept going. i feel like when shane gets injured is when i rly started getting more invested bc that’s when they finally acknowledge that they have feelings for each other (albeit independently) AND actually start acting like it instead of just hooking up lol. loved the conversations they have at the cottage and getting to see moments where they can fully be themselves without having to worry about getting caught or feeling like their time is too limited. also loved ilya’s chirping lmao he made me laugh so much.

the ending does feel a bit rushed and a bit too idealistic; don’t LOVE shane’s plan to just stay in hiding lmaoo and then everyone just being like “yeah i think that’ll work!! no notes!” 😭 and i do feel like the forbidden ness of their relationship bc of their rivalry is a bit played up — i feel like i wouldn’t gaf like that lol sidney crosby is always inviting ppl i wouldn’t expect to his little summer camp so… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ esp bc ppl’s relationships change from when they’re first drafted to later on in their careers, where oftentimes ppl who are drafted at the same time are thrust together right before and after being drafted, but afterward become more and more enmeshed w their team rather than their draft class… well! that’s just me. but anyway it was a fun ride! v glad that the long game exists tho to sort of fill the gaps that the end of this story leaves!!

I first read this tail end of 2022 (crikey what a long time ago) and absolutely loved it enough to give it 5 stars. Well. It still holds up remarkably well! And now that the tv show is coming out I finally have proper face claims for Shane and Ilya which is so devastating. I can't believe they adapted this book. In my original review I was like "I don't even care about the naked men in the cover let yo freak flag fly" and i still stand by that. You will not catch me reading the cartoon covers. If you want to reap the benefits of being a freak you must be prepared to be percieved as a freak. Anyways. The banter is as always the highlight of the entire book, and being able to stretch something out over years just contributed so much emotional depth that I get reminded why I like my hockey yaoi served chapter by chapter over years. 

shaye

Reread #2 

I first read this tail end of 2022 (crikey what a long time ago) and absolutely loved it enough to give it 5 stars. Well. It still holds up remarkably well! And now that the tv show is coming out I finally have proper face claims for Shane and Ilya which is so devastating. I can't believe they adapted this book. In my original review I was like "I don't even care about the naked men in the cover let yo freak flag fly" and i still stand by that. You will not catch me reading the cartoon covers. If you want to reap the benefits of being a freak you must be prepared to be percieved as a freak. Anyways. The banter is as always the highlight of the entire book, and being able to stretch something out over years just contributed so much emotional depth that I get reminded why I like my hockey yaoi served chapter by chapter over years. 

This is my 6th time reading this book and I still cry and get heart eyes. Shane and Ilya are perfection. Love this book with all of my heart. 

Murphy-Ann Craig

I'm crying just thinking about it, I love Ilya and Shane so much

Alina

Aishling

2nd read 04/02/22: This read felt more emotional that the first time, probably because I knew how in love they’d end up being so all the small moments at the start hit my heart so much more. I cannot wait for the sequel 😭


1st read 29/09/20:
I’d give this like a high 3 star/low 4 star rating if that makes any sense. It was good, I enjoyed it. Minimal angst and suffering, pretty hot at times. Didn’t blow me out of the water but definitely enjoyable.

Jasmine

How has it taken me so long to read this book that's the real question?
Ilya & Shane sigh* have moved their way up into my favorite couples, I could write several paragraphs about how much I love them!! It's been a long time I fallen this hard for a book couple or even got so much enjoyment from reading this year! Ahh I love them so much and their banter gave me serious Jamie & Wes vibes which for me is the best of the best in m-m romances.

Molly Morgan

MM hockey romances are my kryptonite. I love the tension between these two, their heat with eachother I could feel through the pages. I wish there were a little less "I hate myself because I'm gay" happening, but also that is realistic.

Andrea Rodriguez

Oh. My. GOD. I can't even begin to describe how much I freaking loved this book. I completely devoured it in just a few hours.

This was my first MM romance and oh man, it did not disappoint. At all. I've had on my tbr for a while and I am silently cursing myself for not reading it sooner. 

Where to begin?!

This was an enemies-to-lovers that was done so well. This was definitely a slow-burn, but ugh when they finally admit their love to each other it was *chef's kiss. 

Their character development over the years was also done really well. Ilya's growth was everything and it made me so freaking proud of him. 

One of my favorite things about the story was the way Shane and Ilya would tease each other. It was damn cute and had me giggling out loud with the shit they'd say to each other. I loved that it was basically Ilya roasting Shane and him eventually just telling him to "shut up" or "fuck off". 

Shane was such a goddamn cutie pie - I could not handle him!!! I adored how shy he was at times and how innocent he came off. Omg and his blushing. It was adorable and obviously Ilya thought so as well with all of the times he purposely tried to make him blush. I was 100000% behind it. 

Ilya was such a treat to read. On the outside, he really was a dick, but I loved that overtime, Shane was able to see that different side of him. I just about died at Shane's reaction when Ilya called Shane by his name for the first time. Ugh. His point of view was my favorite because had we not had it, I would never have guessed he was feeling the way he was feeling. It honestly felt like Ilya was the one that fell first, way before Shane, but he played it off so well, Mr. Cool and Collected.

Some of my favorite Ilya moments:

"Hollander had bought them a fucking building." (he was lowkey so happy about this and I died.)

"'I'm so fucked," he murmured in Russian. "I am so fucking in love and it's horrible."'

Also, once they did admit their love, it was just too adorable how they kept saying "I love you" to each other. I feel like more often than not, once this happens in books, they don't really say it again? But these boys were saying it like their lives depended on it and it made me grin like an idiot. 

I don't want to say much else except that this book was sweet, heartwarming, and had me in tears at the end. It will take me a while to get over how damn precious it all was. Oh and if you're wondering, it's also super spicy and plenty of sex scenes which were fire.

lindsey

WOW. ok. this was so incredibly wonderful and i am so glad i read it !!!!! it may even be a favourite for this entire year, i loved it so much. i’ll admit, when i first decided to read this book i didn’t know if i would like it. i thought, if anything, it would be a fun, steamy and angsty read, but i was not expecting the amount of emotion i had while reading this book. not to be a sappy bitch, but this cannot be described as anything other than an epic love story. limiting it to just some MM enemies to lovers story would be an injustice. the journey we went on year after year with Shane and Ilya, going from enemies, to enemies with benefits, to forming such an endearing love and appreciation for one another was SO beautiful. the storytelling in this was also exquisite, so much better than i had anticipated. i adored the writing so much and it never felt cheesy or ridiculous, it felt natural and raw while keeping a great sense of humor and lightness. i felt every single emotion that these characters were going through because i empathized with their situation so much. it was bittersweet and moving to the point that their pain was my own. the absolute yearning, the pure anguish, this forbidden love that need not be forbidden in the first place, made my heart hurt for them. so much so that i got pretty teary eyed multiple times, and when a book can move me to tears, it's a win for me! i believe that this is a love story that will stick with me for quite a while. believe the hype !!!!! i am over the moon happy to give this 5 stars :)

Read the whole review onThe Queer Bookish


I’ve already read it twice.

So obviously enjoy Heated Rivalry a great deal. And that even though I’m not a fan of stories jumping between the past and the present, but it somehow works with Shane and Ilya’s story.

Although to be honest… I didn’t really had a chance, did I? Grumpy, Russian Ice Hockey player with an unhappy childhood… Seems like I’ve got a thing for these characters.

Heated Rivalry

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