Heated Rivalry: Now Streaming on Crave and HBO Max

Our Review:

I picked up Heated Rivalry expecting a fun sports romance, and it absolutely delivered—though maybe not quite in the way I anticipated. This is fundamentally a story about two competitive hockey players who can't stand each other in public but can't keep their hands off each other in private. What makes it work so well is how Reid takes that premise seriously, exploring the emotional toll of hiding something so consuming while maintaining a rivalry that feels genuinely personal. The chemistry between Shane and Ilya crackles on the page, and their banter has real bite to it. The hockey scenes are vivid enough that even readers who don't follow the sport will get caught up in the intensity.

The book does lean heavily into the physical side of their relationship, which is part of its appeal—there's genuine heat here. But what surprised me most was how much emotional complexity Reid weaves underneath all that tension. These aren't just cardboard cutouts playing out a fantasy; they're dealing with real stakes around visibility, identity, and what it costs to love someone you can't publicly claim. The pacing moves quickly, which keeps things engaging, though occasionally I found myself wanting to linger a bit longer in certain quieter moments between the more explosive scenes.

If you're coming to this wanting a lighthearted romp, you might find it heavier than expected in places. But if you're looking for a romance that actually grapples with its characters' circumstances—one that's both steamy and emotionally intelligent—this is exactly what you need. The fact that it's now adapted for streaming speaks to how much the story resonates beyond the romance community. Whether you're a hockey fan or someone who's never watched a game in your life, there's something genuinely compelling here about two people choosing each other despite everything telling them not to.