Lets talk about Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid | BOOK REVIEW

[@jessicar2609]

This is one of the best MM hockey romances I've ever read. The hockey was accurate and their relationship was so cute! There's also a second book witht their story that's also so good.

[@readwshelby]

Second book is on my tbr!! I’ve been convinced! And defo my fave hockey romance now!!

[@chrissyfuhrie]

I’ve never even heard of this book but I watched this entire video with the goofiest smile on my face. I think I could listen to you talk about the dictionary. Your joy and energy is so contagious ❤

[@readwshelby]

I hadn’t heard of it either but was SO AO GOOD!!! I hope I’ve convinced you to read it 🤣 and LOOOOLLL tysm 🥰🥹 that’s so lovely, next video idea ‘read the dictionary with me’ 🤣🥰

[@chrissyfuhrie]

@@readwshelby I’ll watch the whole damn thing 😂

[@nicolekorah9492]

I loved the Long Game. I feel like it gave me a lot of what Heated Rivalry gave and more. None of the relationship issues seemed dumb. They were mature and true to the characters and their development. Highly recommend!

[@kirstenpullen-c1h]

So, go back and read the whole series, and you'll see why everyone wanted more. Ilya is a character in all the books. Tough Guy is my other favorite. And if you want more mm hockey... there's a lot. Like, a lot.

[@readwshelby]

TYYYY❤️❤️

[@andre_p]

Yes, Tough Guy is a gem ! Another ‘opposites attract’ trope, this time carried almost to the limit. And indeed most characters appear in all the books (sometimes just alluded to), creating a tangible and credible world. My favourite series of anything.

[@markuswalter8209]

That review was emotionally accurate. I would read it again if I hadn’t already. But I can’t wait for me to turn down the volume before clicking Play on your review of „The Long Game“ when you‘ve read it eventually because girl, that author delivered with the sequel. I was prepared to be disappointed by another sequel that was neither necessary nor satisfying and then she drove that thing home with a force that took my breath away. Just you wait.

[@readwshelby]

I’ve added it to my TBR, I’ve listened to and taken on the feedback 🤣🤣🤣 I think I just need a lil break from HR bc of how good it was, I feel I might rate LG harshly expecting it to be as good as HR if that makes any sense 🤣🤣🤣

[@nightmare-fuel]

she literally said "how can i make ilya even more swoony", how can i develop their characters and emotions without taking anything away ? it's actually the better book imo

[@nightmare-fuel]

i've read this book a million times since it came out a few years ago. i listen to the audiobook regularly under a beanie during closing shifts

[@readwshelby]

I don’t blame you!!! Was incredible

[@SidneyRozander]

What's crazy is heated rivalry is a 5 star and somehow the long game is better.

[@andre_p]

Shelby, you nail it square on the head: as mm romances go, this one is incredibly involving and its two MC are extraodinarily well observed - as well as the hockey world building they evolve in. It’s a GREAT BOOK, so read it folks ! It’s part of a 6 book M/M hockey series by Rachel Reid. 4 of the others are standalones, but as you mention, Rivalry has a SEQUEL and it’s even better than Rivalry: more swooning, more angsty, more satisfying, with a wonderful ending. Both characters actually grow in maturity, their love undergoing trials but solidifying in the process. Shelby: please do read it !! Shelby: at the beginning of your video there is an error in your synopsis. Right after the hockey game, Shane and Ilya do NOT meet in an abandoned warehouse. They meet in an unfurnished bachelor pad in a residential neighbourhood that Shane had bought for the sole purpose of meeting Ilya when both are in town. That tells you how much feeling, anticipation and calculation there is btw these two ‘rivals’ relationship. It’s precisely that amount of calculation (from Shane mostly, Ilya just going along with whatever Shane will decide) that over time alienates Ilya. He feels more and more deflated and dispirited having to hide their relationship and his feelings for Shane. I’m from Montreal and I can tell you that Shane is quite right in taking such an inordinate amount of precautions: Montreal is a hockey mecca where professional hockey players are venerated: recognized wherever they go, chased and hunted down. Shane being the Montreal team’s captain, the scandal would be immense if ever they were recognized hanging out together (they’re supposed to be in a ‘heated rivalry’). The League doesn't know about them, the other players don’t have a clue and the fans swallow every bit of gossip and story the media write. IOW they are doomed if they are ever found out. Fun fact: in the book Shane Hollander is the Montreal National Hockey League team’s captain. He is half Japanese (on his mother’s side). The CURRENT Montreal NHL team’s captain is also half-Japanese (on his dad’s side) and he’s as cute and adorable as we imagine Shane is. No influence though as Heated Rivalry was written at least a couple of years before Nick Suzuki was drafted by the Montreal team.

[@readwshelby]

Awww I love this!! I had no idea how realistic it was 🥰

[@beccabartlett6088]

I love MM romances!! You should defo read Iced out by C E Ricci, I read it last year and I loved it 🖤

[@readwshelby]

TYSM I will check it out 🥰

[@beccabartlett6088]

@@readwshelby I hope you enjoy it ☺️

[@dancingadrift]

Oh gosh, mm romance recs... I really love the Perilous Courts series by Tavia Lark if you enjoy fantasy. Cat Sebastian does mm historical romance (I recommend The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, and I've heard nothing but good things about We Could Be So Good, which is on my TBR). Great review for one of my very favorite books! And I highly recommend at least Tough Guy and Role Model in addition to The Long Game. I enjoy the other books in the series as well, but those ones are the best, imo.

[@readwshelby]

TYSM for your services 🥰🥰🥰

[@ExLibris-Alys]

I would never normally pick up this type of book, but now I have no choice…onto my tbr it goes 👍🏻💛

[@readwshelby]

Omg yes YOU HAVE TO it was so good 😩😩❤️

[@yelllow1428]

3:08 can't agree more

[@TrueFan4EverBACK]

I’ve had this on my want to read list on goodreads for a while. Enjoyed your review! I highly recommend ‘For The Fans’ by Nyla K. A very spicy but very beautiful MM romance. One of those books that makes me believe in love. Same with ‘Love Always, Wild’ by A.M. Johnson.

[@readwshelby]

For the Fans is on my tbr, I just keep putting it off due to the size 🤣🤣🤣 not heard of the other one, will defo check it out thankyou!!

[@TrueFan4EverBACK]

@@readwshelby Oh I get that haha. But it’s so worth it. Can’t wait for you to read it 😁

[@andre_p]

Shelby, ‘Him’ by Sarina Bowen is excellent, but the sequel ‘Us’ is even better. More believable, more mature and more confidently written.

[@readwshelby]

I’ve read Him, I liked it but LOVED Heated Rivalry 🥰

[@banukipolwattegallage6646]

long game was just as amazing

[@poppysabrinareads]

Okay fine I'll read it x

[@readwshelby]

You’d love this!!

[@Tdogg819]

Just checking in, did she read the long run?

[@Den-ic6sn]

im going through this same process rn

[@augergaming2471]

Fine, downloading NOW! 🤣🥵

[@readwshelby]

OKAY 🤣🤣🥰🥰🥰