Nova Scotia writer Rachel Reid was pleasantly surprised when her Game Changers hockey romance series caught the attention of Montreal director Jacob Tierney, leading to an option for a television adaptation. The Crave series “Heated Rivalry,” based on the second book in Reid’s series, has become a massive success, with the debut episode being the most successful of all Crave Original Series so far.
The show follows the love story between two professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. As they navigate their secret romance amidst the pressures of their public personas and the league, they face the dilemma of choosing between their love for the game and their love for each other. Despite the challenges, the romance genre promises a satisfying resolution, bringing a sense of queer joy to viewers.
The popularity of “Heated Rivalry” has not only led to increased interest in Reid’s novels, causing physical copies to sell out at major retailers, but also introduced new audiences to the world of romance stories. Reid expressed her delight at the positive reception from the hockey community, which has embraced the show. Even the Montreal Canadiens featured an ad for the series during a Pride Night celebration at a home game.
For fans experiencing a post-“Heated Rivalry” hangover after the season finale, Reid’s Game Changer series offers further reading, including “The Long Game” as a continuation of the story. Additionally, she recommended two other books to fill the void left by the show: “Crash Test” by Amy James, a poignant sports romance involving F1 racers, and “Hockey Bois” by A.L. Heard, a heartwarming tale of love in a beer league hockey setting.
Looking ahead, Reid is continuing to explore the hockey romance genre with new projects in the works and the anticipation of a second season for “Heated Rivalry.” The positive response to the show and the growing interest in romance novels have been a source of joy for the author during challenging times.