NEW YORK (AP) — The television adaptation of Rachel Reid’s novel, “Heated Rivalry,” is making waves among hockey romance enthusiasts. Since its debut over the Thanksgiving weekend, the show has captivated audiences with its compelling narrative centered on a queer romance, quickly becoming a social media sensation. The series, which explores the secret decade-long relationship between Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov, has climbed to the top spot on HBO Max as it approaches its season finale.
The adaptation, developed by Jacob Tierney, has been praised for its “pure queer joy,” a sentiment that has resonated deeply with viewers. The success of “Heated Rivalry” has not only boosted interest in Reid’s “Game Changers” book series but has also shone a spotlight on the sports romance genre, particularly those featuring queer storylines.
The Rise of Hockey Romance
Hockey romance novels have carved out a niche in the broader sports romance genre, attracting readers who appreciate the blend of intense sports action and intricate relationships. Mackenzie Walton, the editor of the “Heated Rivalry” novel, attributes the genre’s appeal to its authentic portrayal of the sport.
“It’s much more common when I read a hockey romance that I get the sense that hockey is important at the heart of the book, and I think readers really respond to that sense of authenticity,” Walton said.
Harlequin, the publisher of Reid’s series, reports that the “Game Changers” novels have sold 650,000 copies since the first book was released in 2018. The television adaptation’s success underscores the growing recognition of romance fans’ cultural and economic impact.
A New Era for Queer Representation
Leah Koch, co-owner of the romance bookstore The Ripped Bodice, emphasized the significance of high-quality adaptations like “Heated Rivalry” for queer readers. She noted that Hollywood’s attention to romance fans is met with appreciation, particularly when it involves stories that might not have been expected to reach television.
“Anytime Hollywood pays attention to, and respects, romance fans, they notice and show their appreciation,” Koch wrote. “Producing a high-quality adaptation of a story queer readers might not have expected to reach television signals a growing recognition of both their cultural interests and their economic impact.”
Content creator Josh Banfield, who has been creating Instagram videos about the show, believes its popularity among queer fans is partly due to the slow-burning romance between Shane and Ilya.
“There’s something nice about seeing the yearning and seeing that they do maintain contact with each other and still have this connection,” Banfield said.
Perfect Casting and Authentic Representation
The success of “Heated Rivalry” is also attributed to the chemistry between its lead actors, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. Tierney, who was instrumental in casting, emphasized the importance of finding the right actors to embody Shane and Ilya.
“The show was going to live and die based on this casting,” Tierney said. “I think once they did their chemistry read together, everybody was like, ‘OK, fine, done.’”
Rachel Reid expressed her satisfaction with the adaptation and the casting choices, noting the importance of maintaining diversity by having Shane portrayed by an actor of Asian descent, as in the books.
“If I built the perfect actors in a lab, I could not have built better people to play these characters,” Reid said.
Breaking Stereotypes in Sports Romance
While hockey romances have traditionally featured predominantly white and heterosexual characters, there is a growing demand for more diverse and queer narratives. According to Koch, readers are increasingly seeking stories that go beyond the typical “alpha-jock” trope.
“Customers frequently seek out queer sports romances and those that ‘go beyond the typical alpha-jock trope,’” she wrote. “But she’s skeptical that the success of ‘Heated Rivalry’ will lead to more mainstream books or shows with queer stories.”
Romance blogger Laura Dusi-Showers highlighted the appeal of male-on-male romance in hockey books, pointing to the fantasy element for women readers.
“I think it’s opening people’s eyes to what could be,” Dusi-Showers said, noting the sport’s aggressive nature and the absence of openly gay NHL players.
Reid’s motivation for writing her series stemmed from a love of hockey and a desire to challenge the sport’s culture, particularly its homophobia. Her debut book, “Game Changer,” tells the story of the first fictional hockey player to come out publicly, a narrative partially explored in “Heated Rivalry.”
As the series continues to captivate audiences, Reid attributes its success to the actors’ performances, particularly Williams’ portrayal of the awkward and less self-assured Shane.
“They’re getting really, really emotional or excited about one little quiet part or one line delivery, and that has nothing to do with the sex on the show,” Reid said.
The future of hockey romance, both in literature and on screen, looks promising as “Heated Rivalry” paves the way for more diverse and inclusive storytelling in the genre.
