Not Another 'Heated Rivalry' Review

Romance on Ice: A fresh take on the enemies-to-lovers hockey romance that everyone else is done talking about. 💙 🏒 💙

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of “Heated Rivalry.” Yes, the spicy male/male novel that inspired a TV series, long weekends at cottages, and 10,000 memes. That one.

I’m late to the party — or hockey game, as it were — because I got the book from my local public library. After a double digit waitlist, my name finally came up. Yay! 

What I write below is for anyone who is still debating whether or not to read the book. Maybe you’re #149 on the holds list at the library. Maybe the book has been sitting in your virtual cart for months. Maybe you watched the TV show and are considering picking up the book.

In any event, here are some thoughts to help you decide if you want to read “Heated Rivalry.”

You don’t have to be a hockey fan to enjoy the book.

All I know about hockey is it involves sticks and a puck and something called “checking.” I have never watched an entire game in my life. 

Hockey is more or less a backdrop for the enemies-to-lovers trope. Shane and Ilya could have easily been rival politicians or rugby players. 

The plot doesn’t drag.

As a reader, it’s important to me that the story moves along. I lose interest pretty quickly if I feel like the plot drags or has a “saggy middle.” 

The story clipped along nicely and motivated me to keep reading. I am a relatively fast reader, and I finished the book in a few sittings.

Also, the plot stays tightly focused on Shane and Ilya. The handful of minor characters and subplots all play a role in moving their romance along. 

Let’s talk about the 🌶️🌶️🌶️.

So, just how explicit is “Heated Rivalry”? Well, everyone has their own definition of “explicit.” I would say that it is as “open door” as a book can get. 

However, I stop short of calling it “smut”, in that it does have a plot and character development. (No shade to smut; I just consider “smut” and “spicy novels” to be two different things.) 

Is the film adaptation loyal to the book?

I still haven’t seen the show, so I have no idea. Sorry!

You’re #564 on the waitlist at the library. Should you just buy the book?

I love supporting authors, so I would say yes, buy the book if you have the resources to do so. 

Please consider alternatives to Amazon, such as Rachel Reid’s website, your local brick-and-mortar bookstore, Bookshop.org, or PangoBooks. (See links below.)

And now, 3 fun facts about “Heated Rivalry”

1. It is part of Rachel Reid’s “Game Changer” Series. There are currently six books in the series, with a seventh due to be released in 2027. A total of three “Game Changer” books feature Shane and Ilya.

2. “Heated Rivalry” has one published sequel and another forthcoming. See above. Yes, I’m planning to read “The Long Game,” and when it’s released, “Unrivaled.” 

The ending of “Heated Rivalry” is creative for enemies-to-lovers, and I can’t wait to see how things pan out for the two. I’m invested! 

3. The book hit mainstream popularity several years after it was released. “Heated Rivalry” was originally published in 2019 by Carina Press, an imprint of Harlequin.

You can see the steamy cover for yourself on author Rachel Reid’s Instagram.

Copies of the book with its original photograph cover can go for big bucks on reselling websites.

Where to buy “Heated Rivalry”

Author Rachel Reid’s website, Bookshop.org, and PangoBooks. (Not affiliate links; just sharing good book vibes.)

 Author's note: Image created on Canva Pro using a Canva stock image.