Across years, hockey seasons, and even countries – they’re in Russia for the 2014 Sochi Olympics at one point – Ilya and Shane studiously avoid each other in public while sexting in private, using false names lest anybody stumble upon their text messages (although those dick pics are something of a giveaway).
Strap in for some seriously graphic sex scenes …
Enemies-to-lovers is a classic romance trope, and rival sportsmen-to-lovers makes perfect sense. I profess no interest in hockey – granted, there isn’t a lot of on-ice action – or classic romance narratives, but Heated Rivalry is great fun.
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There’s genuine chemistry between the leads (given the sex scenes, they’d need to be comfortable with each other), and while there’s no taxing plot, both characters feel fully realised, and the pushing-the-MA-rating sex scenes are balanced by their sweet true love for each other. Adapted from the hugely popular YA book series, Heated Rivalry balances in-your-face sex scenes with a tale of sweet romance. The uptight Shane, who is Asian-Canadian, is reluctant to admit his sexuality, and has the hockey equivalent of a “stage mom” who is also his manager, while the overtly flirtatious Ilya faces pressure from his family in Russia (where queer people are still not accepted), including a dirtbag brother who demands money from him and a particularly strict father, who is a stern Russian official.
Only two episodes were available for preview but if the storyline sticks to Reid’s book, the trajectory for the secret lovers is positive. Perhaps the “bury your gays” tragic ending traditionally given to queer characters has finally been actually buried.
Heated Rivalry is now streaming on HBO Max.
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