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Obsessed with 'Heated Rivalry'? Here's how to read the Shane and Ilya books before everyone else

The steamy hockey romance behind 'Heated Rivalry' is suddenly hard to find, as fans race to read Shane and Ilya's story before Season 2 arrives

One of the most talked-about series in streaming right now isn't a superhero epic or a regency drama. It's a slow-burning, emotionally charged hockey romance that has fans completely hooked. 'Heated Rivalry' has quickly become a cultural moment, dominating timelines and group chats with its intense enemies-to-lovers storyline and undeniable chemistry between its leads. For many fans, the series was also an introduction, or reintroduction, to the source material. Shane and Ilya's fiery, complicated relationship originally comes from 'Heated Rivalry', a novel by Rachel Reid that has long been a favorite within the LGBTQ+ romance community.

Now, thanks to the show's popularity, readers old and new are scrambling to get their hands on the book that started it all. That sudden demand has made physical copies harder to find. On Amazon, the paperback is currently facing shipping delays of up to three weeks. Libraries and digital lending apps are seeing similarly long hold lists, with some readers reporting weeks-long waits just to borrow a copy. Fortunately, there's a faster option, as per Good Housekeeping. Barnes & Noble currently has 'Heated Rivalry' in stock online, without the extended delays. Standard shipping takes about six to eight business days.

Truly impatient readers can opt for expedited delivery to receive the book within one to two days. Given how quickly viewers are flying through the show, many are also looking ahead, and stocking up. 'Heated Rivalry' is the second novel in Reid's 'Game Changers' series, which centers on gay hockey romances set within the same interconnected universe. Each installment focuses on a different couple, allowing readers to jump around if they choose while still enjoying familiar faces and shared storylines. There is, however, one major exception worth noting. 'The Long Game', the sixth book in the series, serves as a direct continuation of Shane and Ilya's story. 

Rather than introducing a new pairing, it revisits their relationship and explores what comes next after the events of 'Heated Rivalry'. For fans who are already invested in the couple, picking up both books together is highly recommended. The series itself begins with the ‘Game Changers’ book, which follows Scott Hunter and Kip, characters that viewers of the show will already recognize. While ‘Heated Rivalry’ does reference some events from the first book, it’s largely accessible as a standalone. Readers who are solely focused on Shane and Ilya can jump straight in without feeling lost, though starting from the beginning does add extra context.

For those who prefer to read a series in order, the complete lineup, according to Goodreads, is as follows: 'Game Changers', 'Heated Rivalry', 'Tough Guy', 'Common Goal', 'Role Model', and 'The Long Game'. Also, a seventh installment titled 'Unrivaled' is scheduled for release in September. With Season 2 of 'Heated Rivalry' already confirmed, fans are clearly in for a long wait before seeing Shane and Ilya back on screen. Until then, Rachel Reid's novels offer the perfect way to stay immersed in the world of locker rooms, rivalries, and slow-burning romance that has captured so many hearts.