Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid explores the intense rivalry between hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, set against the backdrop of the Montreal and Boston NHL teams. As the story unfolds, readers witness the complex emotions and relationships that develop amidst the competitive atmosphere of professional hockey. Themes of love, rivalry, and personal growth are intricately woven into the narrative, making it a compelling read for fans of sports romance. This second installment in the Game Changers series is perfect for readers who enjoy LGBTQ+ romance and character-driven stories. The book delves into the lives of the characters both on and off the ice, highlighting their struggles and triumphs in a high-stakes environment.

Key Points

  • Follows Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov in a heated hockey rivalry
  • Explores themes of love and competition in professional sports
  • Part of the Game Changers series focusing on LGBTQ+ relationships
  • Highlights character development amidst the pressures of NHL fame
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Rachel Reid
289 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
Literature
newtopiccyclegrowin
Author:Rachel Reid
289 pages
Language:English
Type:Novel
Literature
140
/ 289
The Grapes of
Wrath pdf
Prologue
October 2016—Montreal
Shane Hollander was as close to losing it as he ever allowed himself to
get.
He’d endured two periods and twelve minutes of one of the most
frustrating hockey games he’d ever played. It should have been a glorious
win at home for his Montreal Voyageurs against their archrivals, the
Boston Bears. Instead it had been a grueling humiliation, and the score
stood at 4–1 for Boston, with less than eight minutes left on the clock.
Shane had had no less than five beautiful scoring chances. He’d taken
shots that should never have missed. But they had. And the Bears had
capitalized on the Voyageurs’ mistakes.
One man had capitalized more than anyone. The most hated man in
Montreal: Ilya Rozanov. The near century-old rivalry between the
Montreal and Boston NHL teams had, over the past six seasons, become
personified by Hollander and Rozanov. Their intense animosity was clear
even to the fans in the farthest, cheapest seats.
Hollander bent at the face-off circle now, facing Rozanov as the referee
prepared to drop the puck after the Russian’s second goal of the game.
“Having a good night?” Rozanov asked cheerfully. His hazel eyes
sparkled the way they always did when he was talking shit.
“Fuck you,” Hollander growled.
“Still time for a hat trick, I think,” Rozanov mused, his English barely
comprehensible between his thick accent and his mouth guard. “Should I
do it now, or wait until last minute? More exciting that way, yes?”
Hollander gritted his teeth around his own mouth guard and didn’t
answer.
“Shut up, Rozanov,” the referee said. “Last warning.”
Rozanov stopped talking, but he managed to find an even more effective
way of getting under Hollander’s skin: he winked.
And then he won the face-off.
6
“Fuck!” Jean-Jacques Boiziau, the Voyageurs’ giant Haitian-Canadian
defenseman, hurled his stick at the wall of their dressing room.
“That’s enough, J.J.,” Shane said, but there was no real threat behind it.
To make it clear that he was in no mood to fight, or even argue, with
anyone, he slumped into his dressing room stall.
Shane’s left wing line mate, Hayden Pike, sat on the bench next to him,
as always. “You all right?” Hayden asked quietly.
“Sure,” Shane said flatly. He tipped his head back until it met the cool
wall behind him and closed his eyes.
Using the word “passionate” to describe Montreal hockey fans would be
an understatement. Montreal loved the Voyageurs to the point of absurdity.
Their arena was one of the toughest places for visiting teams to play,
because they faced not only one of the best teams in the league, but the
loudest fans in the league as well. The fans also had no problem letting
their own beloved team know exactly how disappointed they were with
them.
But when Montreal fans were really devastated, like they had been
tonight, they were almost silent. And that was Shane Hollander’s least
favorite sound.
“You know what would be sweet?” Hayden asked. “You know that
movie, The Purge? Where you get to, like, break whatever laws for one
night with no consequences?”
“Sort of,” Shane said.
“Man, if that was real, I would murder the fuck out of Rozanov.”
Shane laughed. He couldn’t disagree that bludgeoning that smug
Russian face would be at least a little satisfying.
Their coach entered the room and voiced his disappointment with
remarkable calm. It was early in the season—this had been their first
regular season matchup against Boston—and they had been playing well
most games. This was a glitch. They would move on.
Then it was time to face the press. At that moment, Shane would have
preferred to see a pack of starving wolves enter the room, but he knew
there was no avoiding the reporters. They always wanted to talk to him,
specifically, after every game, and especially after games where he faced
Rozanov.
He pulled his sweat-soaked jersey off over his head so the CCM-
branded athletic undershirt would be seen on camera. Part of his
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FAQs

What is the main theme of Heated Rivalry?
Heated Rivalry primarily explores themes of love, rivalry, and personal growth within the context of professional hockey. The intense competition between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov serves as a backdrop for their evolving relationship, showcasing how passion for the sport intertwines with their personal lives. The narrative delves into the emotional complexities that arise from their rivalry, making it a compelling story for readers who appreciate character-driven romance.
Who are the main characters in Heated Rivalry?
The main characters in Heated Rivalry are Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two hockey players representing rival teams in the NHL. Shane is portrayed as a talented player for the Montreal Voyageurs, while Ilya plays for the Boston Bears. Their fierce competition on the ice is matched by a complicated personal relationship that develops throughout the story, highlighting the tension and chemistry between them.
How does Heated Rivalry fit into the Game Changers series?
Heated Rivalry is the second book in Rachel Reid's Game Changers series, which focuses on LGBTQ+ romance within the world of professional sports. Each book in the series features different characters and storylines, but they all share common themes of love, identity, and the challenges faced by athletes. Readers can enjoy this installment as a standalone or as part of the broader narrative of the series.
What makes Heated Rivalry appealing to sports romance fans?
Heated Rivalry appeals to sports romance fans due to its engaging portrayal of the competitive world of hockey, combined with a heartfelt love story. The dynamic between Shane and Ilya is charged with tension, making their interactions both thrilling and emotionally resonant. The book captures the excitement of professional sports while also exploring deeper themes of connection, making it a satisfying read for those who enjoy romance set against a sports backdrop.
What is the setting of Heated Rivalry?
The setting of Heated Rivalry is primarily within the professional hockey world, focusing on the NHL teams of Montreal and Boston. The narrative captures the intensity of hockey games, the camaraderie among players, and the pressures of being in the spotlight. This backdrop not only enhances the competitive nature of the story but also serves as a catalyst for the personal growth and relationship development between the main characters.

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