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Heated Rivalry

Heated Rivalry is a 2019 gay sports romance novel by Canadian author Rachel Reid.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Heated Rivalry is a 2019 gay sports romance novel by Canadian author Rachel Reid. It follows the secret relationship between rival professional hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. The book is the second installment in Reid’s Game Changers series and reflects the strong cultural presence of ice hockey in Canada.

Premise

Heated Rivalry follows Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two elite hockey players whose public rivalry contrasts with a long-running private relationship. The novel traces how their connection develops over several years.

Publication and series

The novel was published in 2019 and is the second book in Reid’s Game Changers series. It is commonly read as part of a larger series rather than as a standalone work.

Main characters

The central characters are Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Both are professional hockey stars whose relationship drives the narrative.

Adaptation

A television series based on the novel was released in November 2025. This adaptation expanded the book’s visibility beyond the romance genre readership.

Key facts

  • The novel centers on a secret romance between two rival hockey stars.
  • It is set in the world of professional ice hockey.
  • Rachel Reid is a Canadian author.
  • The book is part of the Game Changers series.
  • A television adaptation was released in November 2025.
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Canadian context

Rachel Reid is Canadian, and one of the main characters, Shane Hollander, is a Canadian hockey player. The novel also reflects the strong cultural presence of ice hockey in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Heated Rivalry about?
It is about two rival professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, who maintain a secret romantic relationship while competing against each other.
Who wrote Heated Rivalry?
Heated Rivalry was written by Canadian author Rachel Reid.
Is Heated Rivalry a series?
Heated Rivalry is not a series on its own; it is a novel that belongs to the Game Changers book series.
What is Heated Rivalry book order?
Heated Rivalry is the second book in the Game Changers series.
Who are the characters in Heated Rivalry?
The main characters are Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two professional hockey players and rivals.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heated_Rivalry_(novel)
    Supports: Identifies the novel as a 2019 gay sports romance by Canadian author Rachel Reid, about Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, and as the second book in the Game Changers series.
  2. Goodreads — https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/220966494-heated-rivalry
    Supports: Describes the book as Heated Rivalry (Game Changers, #2) and summarizes the rivalry between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.
  3. Amazon — https://www.amazon.com/Heated-Rivalry-Game-Changers-Book-ebook/dp/B0BZZCSYXJ
    Supports: States the book premise, names the main characters, and presents it as part of the Game Changers series.
  4. SumReads — https://www.sumreads.com/books/heated-rivalry.html
    Supports: Provides a summary of the plot involving Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov and their secret relationship.