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Heated Rivalry

Book 2 in the series:Game Changers

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In "Heated Rivalry" by Rachel Reid, readers are taken on a journey following the intense and secretive relationship between two hockey stars, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander. Despite being rivals on the ice, they share a passionate bond that spans almost a decade, filled with heated moments and dangerous secrets. The story unfolds over several years, from their initial meeting as rookies to their professional careers, showcasing their evolving connection and the challenges they face both personally and professionally. Reid's writing style is praised for its descriptive yet easy flow, humorous moments, and strong editing, creating a captivating narrative that delves into themes of rivalry, self-discovery, and forbidden love.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with contrast in their personalities and backgrounds, adding depth to their romantic journey.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging with a balance of humor and emotional depth, featuring authentic and witty dialogues that enhance character dynamics.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a long-standing rivalry between two hockey players that evolves into a secret romance. It delves into their struggles with sexuality and public personas while highlighting the intensity of their relationship.

Setting:

The setting is rooted in the competitive world of professional hockey, impacting both characters' personal and public lives.

Pacing:

The pacing effectively combines fast initial encounters with slower emotional development, creating a satisfying arc over the years.
Ilya Rozanov trudged through the bitter cold of the hotel parking lot to the team bus. Like most of his teammates, it was his first time in North America. He had expected to feel more overwhelmed by t...

Notes:

Heated Rivalry is part of the Game Changer series by Rachel Reid.
The main characters are hockey rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.
Their relationship spans almost a decade, starting from their teenage years.
The book features a secret 'enemies with benefits' dynamic.
Shane is more reserved and family-oriented, while Ilya is confident and charming.
Both characters face issues regarding their sexual identities, with Shane struggling to accept being not fully straight and Ilya being bisexual but feeling pressured to conform to expectations.
The narrative is structured to reveal their relationship from the beginning and progress over time, keeping readers engaged.
Intense chemistry is highlighted in both emotional and physical interactions, making sexual scenes significant to character development.
Critics praised the author's writing style for being fun and engaging, avoiding clichés.
The story includes humorous banter and witty dialogues between the characters, contributing to overall enjoyment.
Despite the heavy focus on their hockey careers, the story prioritizes the emotional journey of their relationship.
Many readers describe the book as a perfect mix of steamy romance and character-driven storytelling.
Shane is of biracial Japanese and white descent, while Ilya is Russian.
The ending suggests that although they don't have a traditional 'happily ever after', their commitment to each other feels solid and enduring.
The book does not require prior knowledge of the first book in the series, allowing it to be read as a standalone.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of family issues, brief homophobic slurs, and mentions of past suicide, Alzheimer's, and death, which could be sensitive for some readers.

Has Romance?

The book is heavily centered on the romance between the two main characters, with their relationship serving as the primary focus of the narrative.

From The Publisher:

"Sexy, hot, funny and sweet, Heated Rivalry is a game changer in sexy sports romance." - All About Romance

Nothing interferes with Shane Hollander's game-definitely not the sexy rival he loves to hate.

Pro hockey star Shane Hollander isn't just crazy talented, he's got a spotless reputation. Hockey is his life. Now that he's captain of the Montreal Voyageurs, he won't let anything jeopardize that, especially the sexy Russian whose hard body keeps him awake at night.

Boston Bears captain Ilya Rozanov is everything Shane's not. The self-proclaimed king of the ice, he's as cocky as he is talented. No one can beat him-except Shane. They've made a career on their legendary rivalry, but when the skates come off, the heat between them is undeniable. When Ilya realizes he wants more than a few secret hookups, he knows he must walk away. The risk is too great.

As their attraction intensifies, they struggle to keep their relationship out of the public eye. If the truth comes out, it could ruin them both. But when their need for each other rivals their ambition on the ice, secrecy is no longer an option…

Game Changers

Book 1: Game Changer

Book 2: Heated Rivalry

Book 3: Tough Guy

Book 4: Common Goal

Book 5: Role Model

Ratings (52)

Incredible (19)
Loved It (19)
Liked It (12)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (118):

Read It (57)
Want To Read (26)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (33)

1 comment(s)

It Was OK
9 months

"Love to hate you" dynamic

Enemies with benefits trope

Convincing character interactions

Disappointing narrative structure

Pacing issues

Lack of depth in character development

Focus on physical intimacy over emotional connection

Bittersweet ending

Offensive portrayal of Russian character

Stereotypical depiction

Cultural insensitivity

Linguistic inaccuracies

 
 
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