Why you’ll want to read “Heated Rivalry” before you binge the steamy new TV series
2019 was a simpler time. Most of us had never heard of COVID and we didn’t have to question if everything we looked at was actually AI. It also marked when I, and many others, started appreciating the appeal of hockey romance. Since then, stories of hattricks, penalty boxes, and ahem, scoring opportunities, have skated into a lot of readers’ lives, as sports romance in general and hockey romance in particular, gain in popularity.
My personal favorite series ever since those heady, pre-COVID days is Rachel Reid’s The Game Changers. The series launched in 2018 when professional hockey’s golden boy falls for the guy who makes his smoothies in Game Changer. But it really took off the following year with the enemies-to-lovers romance Heated Rivalry, the book that brought me and lots of other readers to this ice-meltingly steamy series. (And I really do mean steamy.)
And now, an entire new batch of folks are discovering the charms of Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander thanks to the TV series, Heated Rivalry, that just started at the end of November. The limited run series is rolling out on Fridays through December in the U.S. on HBO Max, and while you can dive right into the show, you'll definitely want to hop on the Libby app to check out the books that inspired this series. So far, the show is wonderfully faithful to the book, which means it's also very spicy!
For the uninitiated, here’s a quick overview of the books. Since characters pop up in other books, I’ll have to be a little coy with some of the descriptions to avoid spoilers. But hey, these are romance novels, and there is an HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now) in every book.
Game Changer
by Rachel Reid
Scott Hunter is at the top of his game and the professional hockey world as the captain of the New York Admirals, who look ready to win the Stanley Cup. An important part of his pregame ritual becomes getting a smoothie on his morning run, but the plan didn’t include falling fall for Kip, the gorgeous man who mixes up his good luck beverage. With Scott still firmly in the closet, he and Kip must navigate their secret love under the very bright spotlight of the New York sports world.
For those wondering about the TV show, yes, it’s called Heated Rivalry, but Episode 3 is all about Scott and Kip. Besides loving these two in general, I’m particularly delighted that François Arnaud is playing Scott Hunter! I’ve been a huge fan of Arnaud for even longer than I’ve been a fan of The Game Changers, so I’m thrilled to see him as part of this romance!
Heated Rivalry
by Rachel Reid
Ah. The book that literally launched the TV show. From the time they’re 17 and Canada faces off against Russia in the World Juniors final, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are the favorite rivalry of the sports press. What no one knows, though, is that pretty much from the first moment they meet, Shane and Ilya engage in a secret frenemies-with-benefits relationship that’s running the risk of turning into real feelings. Their every encounter is scorching hot, on and off the ice, but will they ever be able to tell anyone, including each other, how they really feel?
Tough Guy
by Rachel Reid
And now we’re in territory not yet covered by the TV show, but I’m personally hoping very much for a Ryan Price appearance at some point. A journeyman defenseman with anxiety and a deep affection for Anne of Green Gables, Ryan Price is primarily used as an enforcer on every team he gets traded to, which happens a lot. For a time, his number one job is protecting his team’s star, Ilya Rozanov, but off the ice, he’s much more interested in reconnecting with the first boy he ever had a crush on, Fabian Salah, an out and proud musician in Toronto.
Common Goal
by Rachel Reid
Are you looking for a little May-December in your hockey romance? If so, I have the book for you! Honestly, I'm a huge fan of this pairing: Eric Bennett, the New York Admirals’ goalie nearing retirement, and his occasional hookup, Kyle Swift, a graduate student putting in hours as a bartender at Eric’s favorite watering hole. But a big question remains—will the difference in age and temperament be too much to overcome? (And if you’re watching the show, you have now been to Kingfisher and met Kyle! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for more of both.)
Role Model
by Rachel Reid
Troy Barrett’s hockey career was going great, until a scandal sees him traded to the worst team in the league. Unsurprisingly in a bad mood most of the time, Troy’s heart is colder than the ice at the rink. At least until dog-loving Harris Drover, the team’s social media manager, slowly starts to melt the misunderstood bad boy. Could the worst trade of Troy’s career actually turn out to be the best thing that’s ever happened to him?
The Long Game
by Rachel Reid
And if you can’t get enough of Shane and Ilya (and trust me—after reading Heated Rivalry, you won’t be able to), catch up with their lives in this sequel! I won’t say any more though, because you really ought to experience these two unspoiled!
The Game Changers read-alikes
Are all The Game Changers books checked out at your library? Try one of these other hockey romances while you wait!
Thrown for a Loop
by Sarina Bowen
A hockey player and former figure skater get a second chance at love in this hot sports romance.
Unsteady
by Peyton Corinne
When a fallen hockey star and a spitfire figure skater collide, healing and heartbreak skate dangerously close in this unforgettable TikTok sensation.
Out on the Ice
by Kelly Farmer
Don’t miss this tender and funny contemporary romance from debut author Kelly Farmer.
Icebreaker
by Hannah Grace
A TikTok sensation! Sparks fly when a competitive figure skater and hockey team captain are forced to share a rink.
Tell Me Lies
by Hannah Gray
A single dad NHL star and a runaway author strike a steamy deal that blurs the lines between fiction and reality in this irresistible sports romance.
Canadian Boyfriend
by Jenny Holiday
Fate brings together a ballet teacher and a hockey player in this big-hearted novel about second chances and taking risks.
The Graham Effect
by Elle Kennedy
Gigi Graham has exactly three goals: qualify for the women’s national hockey team, win Olympic gold, and step out of her famous father’s shadow. So far, so good, except for two little things. Fine—a little thing and a big, grumpy thing. She needs to improve her game behind the net, and she needs help from Luke Ryder.
Collide
by Bal Khabra
She’s an honors student with ambitious graduate school plans and he’s a jock with only hockey on his mind, but once their worlds collide, their connection is hot enough to melt an ice rink.
Pucking Around
by Emily Rath
She swore she’d never fall for a player… let alone three. In Pucking Around, love is the ultimate game—and everyone’s playing to win.
Mr. Heartbreaker
by Piper Rayne
A forbidden hookup with her brother’s best friend becomes the ultimate scandal when the past comes crashing into the present.
*Title availability may vary.
Don’t miss the books from The Game Changers series that started it all. Find them plus more hot hockey romances on the Libby app from your library.
Published Dec 08, 2025
Shelia Mawdsley
Shelia Mawdsley did everything from answering questions at the Reference Desk to tech training to running a classic lit book club in her 17 years in public libraries. Now she helps other public libraries make the most of their collections in Libby. In her spare time, she’s either writing or reading, usually with an opera playing in the background. If you ever run into her, ask Shelia about #WITMonth.